Repelling Ants with Cucumbers

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You walk into the kitchen in the middle of the night and realize an open box of cereal left on the counter is infested with ants. One way to force them to leave is simply remove the cereal box and after a few minutes they should start dispersing but you know they will be back.

 

It’s like a silly game and unfortunately you can’t just tell them to leave.

 

To prevent their return, and for the sake of everyone’s health, the best thing to do is go with a non-toxic earth friendly remedy to ward them off. Anything less will be a health hazard to you, your family and pets.

 

One such solution is simple, unusual yet well known, and found in most homes: cucumbers, specifically the peals, and the more bitter the cucumber the better.

 

Cucumbers are one of those great vegetables that are mostly water and a refreshing snack when on a hike. In fact, like tomatoes they are categorized as fruits but have taken on the characteristic as ingredients for the perfect salad.

 

They are also, believe it or not, the perfect ant repellant, as the little critters hate cucumbers because they are toxic to particular fungi that ants feed on. 

 

Now, here’s what you should do:

 

1. Keep watch to see where the ants are coming from. There could be openings in your counter, in the wall, or where the cabinets are attached. These often occur because of settling.
2. Peel a cucumber leaving the body behind. (At least try to use the inside for lunch or something…)
3. Cut the peel into smaller pieces.
4. Collect the peels and ready them for placement. 
5. Line them near cracks or holes where the ants generally pass.
6. Change the peels every day until the ants disappear.

 

Eventually the ants will realize the zone they are trying to enter is inhospitable. With some good luck they won’t be back any time soon.