If you find an ants’ nest in your house, you need to act quickly, before they multiply. There are over 12,000 species of ants that can be found in your home. If that number itself is not enough to boggle your mind, they have extraordinary defense techniques that your average brain cannot even come close to comprehend. Forget toxic repellents, you need to resort to natural means that will not only take care of the annoying ants, but also prevent them from regrouping again. Here are 6 natural repellents for ants.

Soap Water

One cheap and easy way to get rid of ants is soap water. Soap water will not only kill ants on the spot, but also wipe their trail, preventing them from regrouping again. Here is what you need to do. Take one tablespoon of liquid dishwashing solution in a spray bottle and fill it with water. To make the concoction extra potent, you can also add a few drops of mint or citrus oil. Wherever you spot the ants, spritz the solution and that will take care of them.

Chalk

Chalk can be an ultimate weapon to slay ants. For reasons unknown, ants never cross chalk lines. Draw lines with chalk close to the entry point and see if it works. You can also sprinkle some baby powder in the area surrounding the entry point to block ants trail.

Herbs

Believe it or not, natural herbs such as cinnamon, peppers or chili powder do a fantastic job in taking care of ants. Next time when ants lay siege to your house, simply sprinkle some natural herbs around it, rather than using toxic repellents. You might just be surprised with the results; it is definitely worth a try. For kitchen cabinets and shelves, you can place bay leaves. It will deter those annoying critters.

Baking Soda and Powdered Sugar

Sugar to lure in the prey and baking soda to finish the job, a lethal combination, wouldn’t you agree? Be precise with the balance, as you don’t want the concoction to be rendered useless. Mix baking soda and powdered sugar in equal proportion and place it strategically throughout the house. It triggers some kind of a volcanic reaction in the ants that forces them to leave your house.

Table Salt

This is undoubtedly the cheapest way to get rid of ants. Mix a few tablespoons of table salt in water. Pour the solution in a spray bottle, shake it vigorously and spritz it along the problem area. Ants will disappear into thin air. Never thought getting rid of those pesky critters can be this easy, did you?

Coffee Trails

Some genius must have come up with this idea, simple yet effective. Ants basically work by following the scent trails, right? What better way to deter them than by confusing them. Grounded coffee has a very strong aroma. Simply sprinkle them around the foundation of your house. Without the scented trails to guide them, it will be next to impossible for the ants to find food. It will effectively keep ants out of your house for good.

If natural remedies don’t provide results, you can always seek the assistance of professional exterminators.