Ants can be a real problem in the summer, but you can easily keep them away without using any harmful chemicals or insecticides.08:21, 08 Jun 2026Summer officially starts in just a few weeks, so plenty of people will soon be retrieving their picnic blankets and barbecues to enjoy the pleasant weather. Yet, there's nothing more frustrating than dining outdoors and noticing ants scurrying about searching for food, and even when you remove them, more are bound to appear.‌Ants enlarge their colonies during this period, which means they require additional food to sustain new workers, and once they locate a food source, they deposit a scent trail behind them. These trails enable ants to signal to each other, making them especially tenacious, as a solitary ant can guide hundreds more to the identical location, whether in a garden or inside a property.‌‌Nevertheless, Heather Dessinger, a household expert and founder of Mommy Potamus, has revealed that you don't need chemical sprays or insecticides to deter ants, as all you really need is some baking soda.Heather said: "The powdered sugar attracts the ants and the baking soda kills them. Mix one part sugar with one part baking soda and then place your mixture in shallow lids wherever you see ants."It may sound peculiar if you've never attempted it before, but a small amount of baking soda not only eliminates ants but can readily destroy an entire colony if you've got one in your garden.‌Ants are unable to withstand the acids and moisture in baking soda, and if they consume any it will react causing gases to accumulate inside their digestive system.If you combine baking soda with sugar, the ants will consume it and transport the blend back to their colony, which can swiftly damage the nest to the point where it cannot recover.‌Using baking soda is among the most affordable methods to eliminate ants and ensure they won't return, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors this summer without fretting about them ruining your picnic.How to get rid of ants naturallySimply mix equal parts baking soda and sugar in a small bowl.‌Place the blend on shallow lids, bottle caps, or pieces of cardboard and paper. Setting the mixture on something makes it simpler to tidy up if the ants scatter it around.Ensure you position your mixture wherever you've spotted ants, as that's likely where a scent trail exists, but it's also highly effective to place it near your home's front door.Leave ants undisturbed if you spot them beside the mixture, and within a day or two, the ants should completely cease approaching that area.Article continues belowWhat's brilliant about this ant repellent is that it's natural, meaning you don't need to spray any chemicals around your garden or home. It should be safe to use if you have children or pets in your home, though large quantities of baking soda can be harmful to anyone, so ensure they don't attempt to eat it.