With the arrival of the summer picnic season comes the advent of one of nature’s most hated pests: the ant.
There are an estimated 22,000 species of ants that comprise between 15 and 20 percent of the world’s terrestrial animal biomass. Ants live on all continents except Antarctica. Regardless of where you live, chances are, you’re going to have to deal with ants at some point this coming summer.
Ants are seen as a troublesome pest because they can eat your food, they’re unsightly and because some species are capable of producing painful bites and stings.
If you’re hoping to keep uninvited guests away from your picnic this summer season, you may want to call for the assistance of a pest control service in Bartlesville, OK. They can help you keep ants at bay, and ensure that you don’t have to worry about insects infesting your food supplies during your next family get-together.
There are, however, some foods that are naturally repellent to ants. Ants love sweet, protein-rich foods. If you’re wanting to host a picnic that ants are sure to stay away from, consider cooking up dishes with some of these ingredients:
- Cucumbers: Most ant species simply can’t stand the smell or flavor of cucumbers. Chances are, your cucumber salad will be safe from any invading ant colonies this summer season. You can also use cucumber-infused water as a delicious-smelling spray to keep ants away!
- Spices: Cinnamon, pepper, chilies, cloves and bay leaves are just some of the spices that humans love and ants can’t stand. Incorporating spices into your food, or sprinkling spices around the perimeter of your home or property, can help you make your home smell great while also deterring ants from invading. Be warned, however, that many spices are toxic to pets.
- Vinegar: Put a pickle on your plate, or generously douse your summer salad with a red wine vinaigrette, to deter ants from joining your table. Ants have a strong distaste for vinegar and vinegar-based foods—you can use vinegar as a natural means of killing ants, as well.
- Coffee: There’s nothing better than a hot cup of coffee as a digestif after a large meal. Ants, however, hate coffee and its delightful aroma. Consider sprinkling used coffee grounds around your garden or yard area to deter ants from visiting. Like many spices, however, it’s important to be aware that coffee can be toxic to dogs and cats.
Excellence Pest Control is a pest control service in Bartlesville, OK, serving communities in both Kansas and Oklahoma. If you’re looking for quality pest control that you can rely on, we possess the expertise, experience and skills necessary to help you keep your home ant-free this summer. We offer a wide range of pest control solutions, whether you’re facing insects, birds or rodents. To learn more about ways that we can help you enjoy your outdoor and indoor spaces this summer season without worrying about pests, reach out to one of our friendly pest control experts today.