What is the Difference Between a Mouse and a Rat?
You’ve heard scratching sounds; out of the corner of your eye, you’ve seen something scurrying away; you’ve found little black pellets lying around; or encountered any of the other signs...
You’ve heard scratching sounds; out of the corner of your eye, you’ve seen something scurrying away; you’ve found little black pellets lying around; or encountered any of the other signs...
Nobody wants to find insects in their home or apartment, but personal tolerance levels vary from one creepy-crawly pest to the next. Ants, for example, are undesirable but might not...
Identifying pest droppings holds significant importance in pest control and maintaining a healthy living environment. Droppings can help homeowners determine the type of infestation they are dealing with in their...
If you have ever experienced a mouse in the house—particularly one that’s gotten into your walls—you know the havoc they can wreak. The squeaking sounds they make in the middle...
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Watching a squirrel scurry around outside is pretty entertaining, but finding a family of squirrels squatting inside your home is not. If you hear strange noises coming from your attic...
Spring has officially sprung and with it comes lots of things we love — like sunshine and flowers and lots of picnics. But let’s be honest — even Spring has...
Spring has officially sprung and with it comes lots of things we love — like sunshine and flowers and lots of picnics. But let’s be honest — even Spring has a downside, ant season. And for many of you, that means ants in your yard, at your outdoor events, and even in your homes.
Here at EarthKind, we’re all about naturally smarter solutions — so much so, we even created a product that’s made with essential oils — guaranteed to send ants marching in a different direction. In this article, we’re covering natural scents that ants simply can’t stand so you can avoid a potential ant infestation.
Note: We won’t be covering pest control methods used to harm ants such as ant traps, boric acid, or pouring boiling water!
Cinnamon adds a sweet kick to just about everything. From breakfast rolls to apple pie. It’ll even nudge the ants out of your kitchen. Sprinkle cinnamon on surfaces where you’ve seen ants congregate in your home. Spices such as cinnamon, black pepper, and cayenne pepper act as a dermal irritant to the tiny insects and they’ll be working their way towards sweeter surroundings.
Lemons, limes, and oranges may add zip to your favorite drinks. But ants see them as the enemy. Fresh citrus peels are toxic to the fungi that ants feed on. Spread them around the areas where you see these pests meeting up and they’ll be looking for a new place to congregate. The citrus peels will block the pheromone trail ants use to communicate with each other so others won’t wander into your home looking for food.
There are few things an ant dislikes more than the strong smell of white vinegar. If you’ve spotted ants in your kitchen, spray down your countertops, window sills, and flat surfaces with vinegar. This natural ant-repellent spray will clear the scent trail they use to get around and convince them to find a sweeter-smelling home.
You may love your morning coffee, but ants could do without it. Another natural way to deter ants, sprinkle coffee grounds outside and around your garden. The smell repels them and they’ll be looking for a less caffeinated place to hang out.
Want to keep your home clean and clear of ants? Put a thin line of dry laundry soap around baseboards, windows, and other areas where you see ants beginning to gather. The scent of detergent will turn them away. It’s too much for their tiny bodies. You can also make a mix of equal parts laundry detergent and water inside a spray bottle. Spray any entry points you notice the ants are using to enter your home.
The scent of lemon makes your house smell fresh and clean, but there’s an added bonus you may not be aware of. The strong scent of citrus will throw ants off course. Wipe your countertops down with a mixture of water and lemon juice and their scent trail will be compromised. They’ll be on their way to greener pastures.
Beyond just scents, there are a few other tricks that could help keep these pests away.
Use a dehumidifier in your home as moisture increases this Spring. Ants are always looking for a water source, which is why we tend to find them in bathrooms. Reducing the moisture in your home makes it less appealing to them. Next to food, moisture is an ant’s best friend.
You may think your house is safe and secure, but from an ant’s perspective, the tiniest crack is like a neon welcome sign. Be sure to seal up any cracks that these pests can crawl through with caulking from your local hardware store. Extra bonus: better temperature control and lower energy bills!
Seal your pet food in airtight containers along with all other food sources in your pantry that might attract ants looking for their next meal.
For a long-term solution that also doesn’t kill ants, be sure to check out Stay Away® Ants & Cockroaches — EarthKind’s guaranteed effective, botanical ant deterrent. Stay Away® Ants uses plant-based active ingredients such as lemongrass, thyme, and peppermint essential oils to create an effective insect repellent that’s safe for pets and children (when used as directed. Shop online or in a store near you.