At dawn, not a trace of an ant is discernible, as if they have vanished utterly.
In the peak of summer, gardens become bustling hubs, and one of the most common pests to invade these spaces are ants. However, there's no need to resort to expensive chemicals that may harm pets or the environment. Instead, home remedies with boric acid can offer an effective and inexpensive solution to control ant infestations.
A popular boric acid bait recipe includes mixing one-third cup of boric acid with two and three-quarters cups of sugar and two cups of water. This solution, when placed in shallow containers or soaked on pieces of bread or croutons near ant trails or nest entrances, attracts ants, who consume the boric acid and carry it back to their colony, eliminating it over the next day or so [1][4].
To maximise the impact on the colony while minimising environmental disturbance, position the bait in shaded areas to prevent it from drying out quickly under the sun. It's also crucial to monitor and refresh the bait regularly to maintain its effectiveness. Using bait stations or small containers can help avoid contamination with other animals or children [1].
Alternative home remedies include spraying diluted eco-friendly soap solutions or mild dishwashing liquid near ant trails to suffocate ants without harming plants. Ground cinnamon or cinnamon essential oil, when sprinkled or sprayed around ant hills, can repel or suffocate ants [2]. A water-vinegar mix can also be used to kill ants, but be cautious as vinegar can harm grass if overapplied [2].
Borax, a close relative of boric acid, can also be used similarly as a bait ingredient [3].
While controlling ants, it's essential to preserve the garden's produce. Potato sprouts, for instance, can be preserved for a longer period by putting them in a bag. Root vegetables can be tripled in shelf life with the right storage methods [5].
Unfortunately, 90% of gardeners are reported to make mistakes when drying onions in August, leading to rot and losses. To avoid this, it's important to dry onions correctly [6].
Grapevines can be protected from the elements by dressing them in a "windbreaker and galoshes" and covering them with an umbrella. This method can help produce a harvest like a southern resort, with neighbours becoming jealous [7].
Moreover, the "Ideal Garden" channel has shared information on how to deal with powdery mildew in August on dzen.ru (16+) [8]. Information is also provided on how to identify and remove powdery mildew from an apple orchard safely [9].
In summary, home remedies with boric acid offer a cost-effective and safe solution to control ant colonies in gardens during hot weather. By ensuring bait placement along trails and in shaded spots, gardeners can effectively combat ant infestations while minimising environmental disturbance [1][4].
Maintaining a home-and-garden lifestyle, one might find themselves combating ant infestations during the summer. To address this issue, a mixture of boric acid, sugar, and water can be created as an effective and inexpensive ant bait [1][4]. Furthermore, for those who prefer alternative methods, eco-friendly soap solutions or cinnamon can serve as repellents or suffocants for ants [2].
