Expert reveals this one bathroom item that will drive ants away from your home

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

We might be enjoying the warmer weather, but these are the perfect conditions for unwelcomed bugs to start visiting our homes.

And if you’ve spotted the odd ant or two, chances are there’s an entire colony nearby.

Notorious for making their way into our homes through crevices or gaps in search of food and warmth, these tiny (but destructive) pests leave a trail of aromatic pheromones in their path to attract their friends inside.

What’s more, colonies can quickly multiply, and in extreme cases, cause structural damage. That’s why it’s so important to know how to get rid of ants quickly.

Luckily, an expert has revealed a simple, natural ant deterrent that will stop them in their tracks. What’s more, this is a common bathroom ingredient that can be found in most households — and won’t break the bank.

So whether you’ve spotted ants in the kitchen or backyard, you might want to try this clever ant repellent.

Banish ants with tea tree oil

Essential oil bottles (Image credit: Shutterstock)

We might love the fresh fragrance of tea tree oil, but ants hate its strong, overpowering scent.

Mainly known for its antibacterial and cleansing properties, tea tree oil, (or Melaleuca oil), also contains insecticidal properties — making it the perfect natural ant deterrent.

"Ant season tends to start late spring and reaches a peak through June to August,” says a spokesperson for GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk .

Like us, ants love the warmer weather and with the sunny weather set to continue, we can expect to see more ant activity in their gardens and home.

There are natural ways to deter the insects without harming them, which will discourage ants from entering your home and creating scent trails.

Tea tree oil is another scent which repels ants. Soak cotton wool balls on the oil and place them around entry points. Alternatively create a spray to stop them entering your home.”

Homemade cleaning spray against a white wall (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Alternatively, you could create a DIY spray solution. Simply add 20-30 drops of tea tree oil to 200ml of water in a spray bottle.

Then, spray around windows, door frames, entryways, floorboards or any other areas where you’ve seen ants.

The fumes of the tea tree oil should be strong enough to banish ants for good.

It’s important to note that tea tree oil can also be very toxic to pets. So if you have cats or dogs, it’s best to avoid using them and try alternative methods.

Additionally, be aware of the things that are attracting ants to your home for preventative measures. Or you could try one of these ant-repellent plants for a bug-free summer!

Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.

More from Tom's Guide

As the Homes Content Editor, Cynthia Lawrence covers all things homes, interior decorating, and garden-related. She has a wealth of editorial experience testing the latest, ‘must-have’ home appliances, writing buying guides and the handy ‘how to’ features.

Her work has been published in various titles including, T3, Top Ten Reviews, Ideal Home, Real Homes, Livingetc. and House Beautiful, amongst many.

With a rather unhealthy obsession for all things homes and interiors, she also has an interior design blog for style inspiration and savvy storage solutions (get rid of that clutter!). When she’s not testing cool products, she’ll be searching online for more decor ideas to spruce up her family home or looking for a great bargain!

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.