THIS handy hack offers a low-cost, toxin-free way of keeping pesky ants out of your house.
Summer is approaching, bringing glorious weather along with it.
But the arrival of the warmer months also often means more pests and creepy crawlies around and about.
Everyone has been there with finding an unwelcome party of ants scurrying around your floors.
While there are many insect repellents available from shops, people looking to save a bit of cash might look to budget-friendly solutions.
One kitchen staple offers a low-cost hack to keep ants out of your living room.
Common kitchen pepper can be used to deter ants from entering your home – and providing a much cheaper option to insect spray.
A study from Vanderbilt University says that ants 400 smell receptors – far more than many other small insets.
These don’t just help ants sense their immediate surroundings, but also play a role in their communication and navigation.
That’s why putting down strong scents like pepper can help deter them – as it will overload their receptors.
There are a couple of ways you can use pepper to keep the ants away, according to Yahoo News.
One is to simple sprinkle it in the areas where you typically see ants in the home, whether that’s on your floorboards or window ledges.
You can also use it to mix a makeshift bug spray, with one measure of pepper to ten measures of water.
This can be sprayed anywhere you seen ants in your home.
The spray can even kill the ants, with a Texas A&M University study showing that water with pepper is more likely to take them out than water alone.
However, be careful not to spray it near where your pets might be, as it could irritate their respiratory system or cause stomach upset.
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.
But pepper isn’t the only low cost way of keeping ants away from you house.
Regular cleaning and wiping of surfaces is always a helpful means of reducing your chance of finding pests indoors.
Cleaning up crumbs and spills – especially for sugary drinks – will also help.
Make sure rotten food is thrown away and that any containers are properly sealed.
