As spring sets in across the UK, the new season marks the inevitable re-emergence of insects and bugs such as flies, spiders and ants.
Ants often appear in the mildly warm month of March as thousands of colonies begin to reproduce.
However, these tiny invaders are notorious for swarming homes and setting up camp in bathrooms, kitchens and pantries in search of food.
A lack of preparation and turning a blind eye to early warning signs can quickly snowball into into a full-blown infestation – and with a visit from professional pest services setting the average person back £165, it’s best to stay a few steps ahead.
Luckily, one expert has suggested a natural alternative to expensive, chemical insecticides – and it costs as little as 8p.
Chris Hutton, storage expert and owner of Adams Self Store, has urged Brits to make use of a common household item that can effectively deter ants: peppermint tea bags.
The expert said: ‘Most people don’t realise the power of natural deterrents when it comes to pest control.
‘Ants emerge from their winter hibernation in March as the temperatures are rising; they’re hungry and on the hunt for food. This leads them straight to our homes, where they can find crumbs, spills and tempting leftovers.’
Ants are notorious for swarming homes and setting up camp in bathrooms, kitchens and pantries in search of food (stock image)
Hutton explained that ants ‘hate’ the aroma of peppermint as it disrupts their sense of smell and makes it almost impossible for them to locate food elsewhere in the home.
He added: ‘It masks their pheromone communication, signaling that your home is unsuitable for them to enter.’
To keep ants at bay, Hutton advised placing unused teabags near cracks and doorways where the critters are likely to enter, as well as underneath or behind appliances, inside cupboards and near food storage areas.
The expert stressed the importance of removing every trace of food, including crumbs, as it only takes one ant to discover a source and leave a pheromone trail – which can result in a swarm of its friends to joining the feast.
And it’s crucial to maintain a clean kitchen, wiping down surfaces regularly, keeping food waste to a minimum and storing food in airtight containers to help keep ants away.
Reducing clutter – such as keeping excess belongings in dry, clean units – can also help prevent an infestation as this can eliminate hiding spots and food sources.
Above all, Hutton emphasised the importance of sealing entry points, including doors, windows and small cracks.
For a budget-friendly and effective solution to seal gaps around the home, caulk is recommended.
Chris Hutton, storage expert and owner of Adams Self Store, has urged Brits to make use of a common household item that can effectively deter ants, like peppermint tea bags (stock image)
Meanwhile, a pest control expert has revealed their natural hack for keeping flies away during the heatwave – and it costs just 90p.
As annoying as house flies can be, there’s no longer any need to waste time or energy wafting them away thanks to one very quick and easy hack available from ASDA and other supermarkets.
Mint comes high up on the list of smells that flies hate – and it turns out that a basic mint plant placed on the windowsill will do the trick of keeping them away.
Other herbs that can also be bought cheaply and work just as well include basil and rosemary.
Taking a slightly different tack, Jordan Foster from Fantastic Pest Control, based in London, said repelling these bothersome insects is easy with some strong essential oils.
