OPENING your doors and windows to let the warm breeze in is a sure sign that summer is almost here.
However, the higher temperatures can also bring pests into your home.
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The summer months are foraging time for ants, with colonies leaving their nests in search of food.
And since these insects love anything sweet, even the smallest of spills in your kitchen can attract them.
While wiping up your countertops and storing leftovers properly is essential, there’s an extra step you can take.
According to the experts at Gardening Etc, baby powder is an effective tool in a fight against ant infestation.
Read More On Pest Control
“The distinctive trails left behind by ants result from the tiny creatures’ pheromones,” they explained.
“With the pheromones laid down along the trail, other ants can easily find their way through scent from the colony to the food source inside your home.”
By sprinkling baby powder along this trail or at entrance points, you will most likely deter them from continuing inside.
This is simply because they don’t like the feel of the powder and would prefer to avoid it.
While baby powder will not actually kill ants, it will help prevent them from entering your home.
The experts also recommend reapplying the powder regularly, especially if the area gets wet.
According to the experts, chalk can help to magnify the ant-fighting effort.
The dust that forms when you pull chalk across a surface increases the physical barrier that confuses the ants.
After locating the entry points that ants have been using to enter your home, draw small chalk lines across the floors or walls in those areas.
Then add a sprinkle of baby powder for good measure, diminishing the scent of the pheromones left in your home.
You can pick up a bottle of baby powder for just £1.40 from Waitrose.
Keep pests out all summer
IF you want to ensure that your home is pest free this summer, here’s what you need to know.
Hornets and wasps – hate the smell of peppermint oil so spraying this liberally around your patio or balcony can help to keep them at bay.
Moths – acidic household white vinegar is effective for deterring moths. Soak some kitchen roll in vinegar and leave it in your wardrobe as a deterrent.
Flying ants – herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, mint, chilli pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves, or garlic act as deterrents.
Mosquitoes – plants, herbs and essential oil fragrances can help deter mozzies inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass.
A 55p hack can get rid of flies and slugs from your garden, and you probably have it in your kitchen cupboard.
And a 49p step can help to keep wasps out of your garden all summer long.
You can also stop squirrels from digging up your garden with this handy hack.
And B&M shoppers can pick up a pest control buy for a fraction of the price of a B&Q version.
Plus, the storage mistakes you’re making that could be attracting rodents to your garden shed.
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