.webp){kind=logo}
I don’t know about you, but barbeques are one of my all time favorite summertime activities. Spending time with friends and family, great food, lots of sunshine and fresh air...what could be better? However, there’s one thing that can ruin a great barbeque quickly: pests. More specifically, ants. Ants crawling around your table can make it difficult to enjoy the food that everyone has brought to share. Even if you get a plate of food that doesn’t have ants on it, having them crawling around the table can be unnerving and itchy for your guests.
While you’re planning your barbeque you might want to do some preparation in case you run into an ant issue. You can’t exactly spray ant repellant all over the table, contaminating the area where your family and kids are running around. Here are some ways to combat an ant infestation without using chemicals.
Keep Things Sealed
One of the best ideas for a barbeque is buying large airtight containers and bringing some extras along. Keeping as many of your trays of food in airtight containers as you can will help keep ants from wandering over to your table, and will keep the ones that do out. This will also keep flies from landing on your food when no one is looking.
Use Peppermint Oil
Essential oils are fairly common and easy to find at any health food store or online. Peppermint oil can be used to deter ants, since for some reason they’re naturally repulsed by the smell. Fortunately for us, humans tend to find the smell of peppermint pleasant, so spreading it around your barbeque table will make the area smell nice, while working to keep pests away.
Mix Up A Borax Solution
Borax is a natural substance that is usually used in laundry detergent, but it has several other household uses – including killing ants. Simply mix the borax with something sweet, such as honey or a sugary paste and leave it out for the ants.
Use Other Household Deterrents
There are actually quite a few substances that are common to most homes, that can work to keep ants away if you don’t have any peppermint oil. One of the most common is cinnamon. Another is baby powder. Citrus peels and vinegar seem to keep them away as well. Try placing these items around the perimeter of wherever you’re having your barbeque and it should steer the ants away.
