They are small, there tend to be a lot of them and they're fast. Ants tend to "invade" houses in summer and this is often a problem for those who own a holiday home in Spain. One day you may find your kitchen or any other room in the house full of hundreds of little black dots with legs. But don't panic, as we have put together a selection of methods of how to get rid of ants permanently and naturally in your Spanish holiday home.
Understand where the ants come from
First of all, you have to find out where the ants are coming from. It is usually a crack, a badly grouted cavity or a connection with outside that has not been sufficiently insulated, and it is here that the smallest hole becomes the entrance door for hundreds of these little creatures. The first thing to do, once the crack has been identified, is to seal it well and clean the area thoroughly so that there are no crumbs, accidentally spilt sweet liquids or anything else that could attract ants en masse.
Get rid of ants with vinegar
A good way to get rid of ants is to use vinegar or lemon juice. After cleaning the floor thoroughly, apply a few drops to the areas where the ants usually pass through. But be careful: this method can be harmful to marble or granite floors, which corrode with acid.
Eliminate ants with spices
Some spices have the power to repel ants: sprinkling the house with cinnamon, bay leaves, cloves and, above all, pepper and chilli can help drive these pesky creatures back into their hole. Coffee grounds and peppermint essential oils can also help.
Use detergent to keep ants away
Even washing-up liquid, while not an all-natural remedy, can help keep ants away. Simply dilute it in water and spray it on the areas where the ants enter. They will flee, annoyed by the smell and stickiness of the soap.
Use baking soda, talcum powder or chalk
Another method for eliminating ants at home in a natural way is to sprinkle the problem areas with bicarbonate of soda or talcum powder, substances that annoy these types of insects and make them flee quickly. It is important, after making them disappear, to thoroughly clean the whole house of any remains and seal all cracks and holes through which they may infiltrate again.
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