Ants will 'leave your home immediately' if they smell 1 natural item pest experts love

Ants and their nests are typically found outside, but when the hot and dry summer weather minimises their resources, they come crawling into our homes. Households need to be aware that where one ant is, the army isn't far behind. These strong, clever little pests leave a path of scented pheromone in their wake to guide their friends and family in, which eventually can lead to ant nests being built throughout your home.

While these little bugs aren't particularly harmful to our health, they're unpleasant to spot and can multiply quickly. To get rid of them and stop more ants coming in, Shield Pest Control have shared "the most effective natural remedies for ants".

An all-natural ant repellent they recommend using is tea tree oil. This natural oil, found at most stores, has a strong odour which ants don't care for.

It will also disrupt the pheromone trail they use to find their way to food sources.

Simply mix a few drops of pure peppermint oil into a spray bottle with water. Spray this concoction onto door frames, windows, floorboards, cupboards, and any other place you have seen ants.

The pros claimed that "the fumes from the tea tree oil will make ants leave your home immediately".

Many people find the scent of tea tree oil overwhelming; if this is you, try diluting it with some peppermint oil to neutralise the odour.

The experts also favour using peppermint oil. They said: "Peppermint oil is a natural pesticide that is toxic to ants. Once an ant comes into direct contact with peppermint oil, it will instantly kill ants."

If you are looking to disrupt an ant's nest and move them along, Shield Pest Control noted that boiling water is a good option.

They explained: "The boiling water kills ants inside; however, it won't destroy the entire colony. Boiling water will only disrupt the colony. This disruption will prompt the ants to move away from your home and relocate elsewhere."

You can also use boiling water that has been slightly chilled in a spray bottle with rock salt. Spray the salty water around the colony and any other areas where you have seen ants.