Ants can be a persistent nuisance in homes and gardens, but a simple homemade spray using vinegar and dish soap can eliminate them within 30 minutes. The natural solution is both effective and safe, according to a cleaning enthusiast who shared the method on Instagram.
Why ants invade
Ants typically enter homes in search of food and shelter. A single ant scouts ahead, then leaves a pheromone trail for others to follow. During summer, ant colonies are at their largest, increasing the demand for food and the likelihood of invasion. August is also mating season for ants, triggered by warm weather.
The vinegar solution
Cleaning and DIY enthusiast Courtney, known as @courtney.onpurpose on Instagram, says the spray is one of the easiest and most effective ways to handle ants. She mixes two cups of white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar with two cups of dish soap. The vinegar is the key ingredient, as ants hate its smell and it disrupts their scent trail.
Courtney said, “This spray has been a lifesaver for me this summer. I sprayed this all over my patio, and within 30 minutes, every ant had shrivelled up and disappeared. I haven’t seen one since.”
How to use the spray
Mix the vinegar and dish soap in a bowl, then transfer the solution to a spray bottle. Spray evenly and thoroughly on all windows, doors, skirting boards, and common ant pathways. After spraying, ants should be gone within 30 minutes.
For best results, reapply the solution once a week, or every couple of days if ants are still present. Reapply after rainfall if the solution has been washed away.
