What's in My Kitchen This June ? Ants!
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| ai drawing from chat |
We returned to our Pennsylvania home about two weeks ago, and before we had even unpacked a single box, I spotted a few ants on the windowsill and kitchen counter. I was surprised because there wasn't any food in the house.
Within a few days, those few scouts turned into an invasion. Suddenly, there were armies of ants marching across my countertops and parading along the windowsills.
My first line of defense was cinnamon.
I had heard that ants won't cross a line of cinnamon. I tries it and it seemed to work—at least temporarily. But eventually, the ants simply changed course and found a different route into the kitchen.
Next, we tried ant traps. They significantly reduced the number of ants, but they didn't eliminate the problem. We still have plenty of unwanted visitors daily.
If this keeps up, I may have to admit that the ants think they own the kitchen. No, I don't want to resort to pesticides/chemicals -at least not yet. Any ideas other than calling an exterminator?
I do have a few other things to share IMK this month:
Frozen peas and bok choy soup - a quick easy green soup
This is an antique vase that I filled with deep purple petunias from my garden and placed it on my kitchen counter.
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I've started to prep my salads in advance in mason jars again. I love having my salads prepped ahead
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Preparing the salads ahead and putting them in sealed glass jars is an excellent idea. Do they stay fresh for a few days, especially the lettuce?
ReplyDeleteYes, the lettuce must be dryand I don't add tomatoes until I serve it . It will last 4 days.
Deletethanks so much for joining in, and using my logo. Yes i know what you mean about ants; we get them often in our kitchen. In fact we have a trail of them now climbing over drawers and going out the window. Why oh why? I ask... Not much seems to deter them. Love that vase, and i adore cherries. We only get them for a few weeks in november here. Have a great June.
ReplyDeletecheers
sherry
I a little overwhelmed with those ants. We have a long summer ahead.
DeleteTry adding some mint essential oil to the water you use to wipe down the surfaces. If it is very hot here, the ants invade to come and find water :)
ReplyDeleteWill do - thank Tandy
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteSorry about those pesky ants, I feel the same way about pesticides.
Your salad in the jars look yummy. Pretty flowers.
Happy June! Take care, enjoy your day! Happy week ahead!
Yes, the salad in jars is helpful.
DeleteCinnamon is my go to for ants as well. I love ants so much, I could never harm them. White vinegar works too, they don't like that. A few people have said some overdue fruit in the garden to get them out of the house. We had a few in the house recently and I caught them and put them out near a few rotting apples.
ReplyDeleteMy goodness those cherries look amazing :-D
Well, I do not love ants and I wish they didn't love my kitchen.
DeleteWe battled ants in April here even though I keep almost everything in glass jars and never leave any food out. I don't know what they were after or what stirred them up, but it wasn't for food. I started wiping everything down once or twice a day with white vinegar and it really seemed to help a lot. Have you had a lot of rain? I think the rain is what brought them to us, but who knows.
ReplyDeleteYikes, so sorry. They can really take over quickly. The wooden spoon is evidence of how strong their sense of smell is. Even with no food on it, they still smell food. I agree with those before my own comment that suggest mint and/or vinegar. I use a spray bottle to quickly spritz the counter and wipe it, letting it dry on it's own. Even my homemade dish soap has some vinegar in it to help, because I live in Ant Central and would be overrun daily, otherwise. That Bok Choy looks amazing,
ReplyDeleteI usually use cinnamon or acid....but if they keep coming back, then you might need to find the source.
ReplyDeleteOh ants are the worse. When we first moved into this house there were ants everywhere including upstairs. We did have to call an exterminator. He told us that we had three types of ants. The ones at the window sills were water ants. His one time visit got rid of them. I've been here 17 years and have not had a problem. I just prepped lettuce in mason jars. I really love my hand held mason jar vacuum. Your mint looks wonderful. Have a good day today.
ReplyDeleteoooooh the dreaded ants, it's that time of year and we have gotten them too. the hubs is in charge of the ants...i don't think i have seen any yet this year, we have used cinnamon!!
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