Readers reveal what worked to stop ants invading their homes

Following our article on the increase in ant activity during the heatwave, where a reader recounts returning home to find her house infested, others have shared the methods they have used to deal with these unwanted visitors. 

While insect specialists advised identifying the species before choosing treatment, readers reported a range of simple solutions that appeared to work for them. 

B.K: wrote: "We returned home one evening last week to find the living room floor covered in ats. My wife hoovered them up and sprayed everything with a mixture of vinegar, washing-up liquid and water. We haven't seen them since… fingers crossed." 

S.B. said a commercially available ant trap had worked well. "I used the supermarket-bought Raid Max piège fourmis, which was very effective."

S.S, who lives near Cannes, said prevention was key. “We have found that not providing food sources, and escorting invaders to the next life or at least to the garden, is sufficient,” 

“The ants seem to be very good at doing a cost-benefit analysis on their foraging paths.”

Another reader suggested using cinnamon as a natural deterrent.

"Leave cinnamon in open jars," they advised. "Ants can't handle the smell."