Aussie homeowners stop ants invading home with $2 trick
- Replies 3
If there’s one thing that unites Aussie homeowners—besides a love of a good cuppa and a backyard barbie—it’s the never-ending battle against household pests.
And as the weather swings between downpours and heatwaves, it seems our six-legged foes are more determined than ever to make themselves at home.
But what if we told you there’s a simple, budget-friendly trick that could send those ants packing, and it’ll only set you back a couple of bucks?
That’s right, folks! One Sydney resident, Ashley Fuller, has shared a hack that’s as easy as pie and costs less than your morning coffee.
Her secret weapon is whole cloves. Yes, the same spice you might pop into your Christmas ham or mulled wine.
Ashley swears by a $2 packet from Coles, and after sprinkling them along the ant trails in her home, she claims the critters turned tail and marched right out.
‘I saw it on social media a while ago, it was a video of ants walking away from a whole clove. I had ants in my home, so I decided to try it for myself. It worked, and that was it,’ Ashley said.
She’s even recommended the trick to friends and family, who’ve had similar success.
How does it work? Well, cloves have a strong scent that ants find overwhelming.
By placing whole cloves along their trails or near entry points, you’re essentially putting up a ‘No Entry’ sign that ants can’t ignore.
It’s a natural, chemical-free solution that’s safe for pets and grandkids, and it won’t leave your home smelling like a science lab.
Eduardo Garcia from Sydney’s Toro Pest Control says he’s not surprised Aussies are turning to natural remedies, especially with the recent surge in ant invasions.
While cloves can work, he suggests there are other home remedies that might be even more effective.
‘Getting a spray bottle with water and vinegar with peppermint oil would help more than cloves,’ Eduardo advised.
‘Or people often use baby powder. Campers sprinkle it around their tents because it neutralises the ants’ ability to communicate through pheromones. They get lost and move on.’
However, not all pest control pros are convinced. Warren Bailey from ABC Pest Control warns that natural remedies can be hit and miss.
‘It’s worth a try, but often, with ants, they get immune to it very quickly. You can try it once, and it works, then you go to use it again, and they’ve built up resistance,’ he explained.
‘People can get lucky with natural remedies, but we usually have to come back with something stronger.’
While many of us associate ants with the summer heat, heavy rainfall can also drive them indoors.
As Eduardo explained, ‘Pests are coming out at the moment with all the rain. The water is saturating their workings in the mud, and they get destroyed easily, so they come out of the ground. Obviously, our properties are nice and sturdy, so they go in for food, shelter and water.’
To keep ants away, prevention is essential. Start by sealing entry points, such as weep holes, cracks, and gaps in walls or floors.
Maintain cleanliness by wiping down benches, sweeping up crumbs, and avoiding leaving food out, as ants are quick to find leftovers.
Store pantry staples in airtight containers and fix any leaks since ants are attracted to water.
Also, trim back shrubs and trees that touch your house, as they can serve as pathways for ants to enter.
And if all else fails, don’t be afraid to call in the professionals. Sometimes, a stubborn infestation needs a bit more muscle.
And remember, the next time you spot a trail of ants marching through your kitchen, don’t panic.
With a little know-how (and maybe a sprinkle of cloves), you can reclaim your castle—without breaking the bank.
Credit: TikTok
We’d love to hear from you! Have you tried the clove hack, or do you have your own tried-and-true method for keeping ants out? Maybe you’ve got a funny ant story or a question for our community? Share your experiences in the comments below.
And as the weather swings between downpours and heatwaves, it seems our six-legged foes are more determined than ever to make themselves at home.
But what if we told you there’s a simple, budget-friendly trick that could send those ants packing, and it’ll only set you back a couple of bucks?
That’s right, folks! One Sydney resident, Ashley Fuller, has shared a hack that’s as easy as pie and costs less than your morning coffee.
Her secret weapon is whole cloves. Yes, the same spice you might pop into your Christmas ham or mulled wine.
Ashley swears by a $2 packet from Coles, and after sprinkling them along the ant trails in her home, she claims the critters turned tail and marched right out.
An Aussie homeowner claims a simple $2 packet of whole cloves from Coles can effectively get rid of ants by placing them along ant trails. Credit: @allthings_ashleyy / TikTok
‘I saw it on social media a while ago, it was a video of ants walking away from a whole clove. I had ants in my home, so I decided to try it for myself. It worked, and that was it,’ Ashley said.
She’s even recommended the trick to friends and family, who’ve had similar success.
How does it work? Well, cloves have a strong scent that ants find overwhelming.
It’s a natural, chemical-free solution that’s safe for pets and grandkids, and it won’t leave your home smelling like a science lab.
Eduardo Garcia from Sydney’s Toro Pest Control says he’s not surprised Aussies are turning to natural remedies, especially with the recent surge in ant invasions.
While cloves can work, he suggests there are other home remedies that might be even more effective.
‘Getting a spray bottle with water and vinegar with peppermint oil would help more than cloves,’ Eduardo advised.
‘Or people often use baby powder. Campers sprinkle it around their tents because it neutralises the ants’ ability to communicate through pheromones. They get lost and move on.’
‘It’s worth a try, but often, with ants, they get immune to it very quickly. You can try it once, and it works, then you go to use it again, and they’ve built up resistance,’ he explained.
‘People can get lucky with natural remedies, but we usually have to come back with something stronger.’
While many of us associate ants with the summer heat, heavy rainfall can also drive them indoors.
As Eduardo explained, ‘Pests are coming out at the moment with all the rain. The water is saturating their workings in the mud, and they get destroyed easily, so they come out of the ground. Obviously, our properties are nice and sturdy, so they go in for food, shelter and water.’
To keep ants away, prevention is essential. Start by sealing entry points, such as weep holes, cracks, and gaps in walls or floors.
Store pantry staples in airtight containers and fix any leaks since ants are attracted to water.
Also, trim back shrubs and trees that touch your house, as they can serve as pathways for ants to enter.
And if all else fails, don’t be afraid to call in the professionals. Sometimes, a stubborn infestation needs a bit more muscle.
And remember, the next time you spot a trail of ants marching through your kitchen, don’t panic.
With a little know-how (and maybe a sprinkle of cloves), you can reclaim your castle—without breaking the bank.
Credit: TikTok
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