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3 Ways to Deter Ants and Contain an Infestation

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September 10, 2025, 10:45 am | Read time: 2 minutes

Ants can really make life difficult for us–especially when they invade living spaces and form trails to food. myHOMEBOOK gardening expert Franka Kruse-Gering presents three ways in the video to deter ants and curb an infestation.

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Deter Ants with Scents

Ants are very sensitive to smells. We can use this to our advantage by placing plants on our windowsill to block their entry into our homes. Lavender is ideal due to its strong scent. Sage or thyme can also be effectively placed on the windowsill.

The benefits are clear: You always have fresh herbs in the house, and you block the ants’ path. These plants are not only suitable for indoor spaces; they can also be useful in the garden to deter ants. Where they are planted, ants are unlikely to settle nearby.

Also interesting: 6 Plants to Repel Ants

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Keep Ants Out with Vaseline

Once ants have found their way into the house, quick action is needed. First, locate the entry point through which the ants are entering. Then, Vaseline comes into play. Apply it to the windowsill or door frame at the entry point.

The reason: Vaseline neutralizes odors, meaning ants can no longer smell their predecessors and cannot follow them. Additionally, Vaseline is sticky, making it difficult for ants to cross. However, it dries quickly, so the affected area should be reapplied every few days.

Copper Tape Not Only Helps Against Snails

Copper tape has proven effective in getting rid of snails. It is also suitable for deterring ants. Copper has a strong odor that ants cannot stand. If you have a gap at the window, it can be helpful to stick some copper tape in front of it. Ants will avoid this path because it is unpleasant for them.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of MYHOMEBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@myhomebook.de.

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