With summer approaching, people in the UK are preparing to enjoy the heat. Windows are opened, picnics are packed, and ants are infiltrating our kitchens, bedrooms, and restrooms. According to the British Pest Control Association, local councils in the UK treated over 20,000 ants in a single year, demonstrating how widespread and tough these infestations can be.

If left unchecked, a few ants can quickly become a colony of hundreds, or even thousands, and these infestations can be expensive to deal with. Professional pest control can cost up to £165 for an initial appointment, with further treatments costing roughly £60 each time. Our community members receive unique offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. You may check out at any time. Read our privacy policy.

Fortunately, Glen Peskett, DIY expert at Saxton Blades, says there’s a simple, inexpensive, and natural option that’s already in your refrigerator. Although many people turn to vinegar when they discover ants in their homes, Glen says there is another option that works just as well. He stated: “Lemon juice is an excellent natural ant repellant.

“The strong citrus scent disrupts their scent trails, and the acidity interferes with the pheromones they use to navigate. Simply squeeze fresh lemon juice around door frames, windowsills, or anywhere you’ve noticed ants entering. This fully natural solution will not only stop ants in their tracks, but will also leave your home feeling fresh and clean.

If you want to try this cheap and easy technique to combat ants at home, here’s how: Cut a fresh lemon and squeeze its juice into a small basin or immediately onto a cloth or cotton pad. Wipe the juice around known entry points such as cracks, windowsills, doorframes, skirting boards, and under sinks. To add power, combine lemon juice and water and spray along pathways where ants may enter.