You don’t have to fight ants as vermin, because actually they are beneficial insects. But even though their value is undisputed, you don’t want them in your apartment or house. So, what options do you have to use home remedies against ants gently? A small piece of chalk can be the simple and inexpensive solution here. 

Chalk against ants: Why chalk is a good home remedy against ants 

Why chalk? Ants avoid alkaline substances and will not walk over a thick chalk line or a trail of garden lime. So, you can draw a chalk line around areas you most want to protect from ants, such as the apartment or balcony door, your plants, or your patio. 

Tip: Ants are smart and will try to get around the line. Therefore, the chalk line must be continuous and as thick as possible. 

Important: Do not sprinkle baking soda. Not only is the effect limited, but the little critters can die in agony from ingesting baking soda. 

This disadvantage has the home remedy chalk against ants 

However, there is a small disadvantage: the chalk lines must be regularly redrawn, as they fade over time and thus become ineffective. It is also essential to renew the lines after a rain shower. 

With these home remedies you can drive away ants as well 

Not only chalk or lime can be an effective tool in the fight against ant invasion. The following tips will also help: 

  • Keep your area clean and free of food scraps or crumbs.

Use natural scents like cinnamon or peppermint to keep ants away. Strong scents drive ants away because they interfere with their sense of direction. Oils or herbal concentrates, such as lavender, lemon peel, cinnamon, chili and cloves have proven effective. These can be placed in front of entrances and on ant trails and in front of nests. 

  • Use a mixture of water and vinegar to repel ants.
  • Seal all potential entrances through which ants can enter your home.
  • Use cooking oil to lubricate the legs of tables and chairs to prevent ants from climbing up.

With these tips and tricks, you should be able to get rid of ants naturally. Best of all, you won’t be spending money on expensive pest control products, and you’ll only be driving them away, not killing them unnecessarily.