Ants often find their way into people's homes, drawn by the opportunity to find food. Fortunately, there’s a surprisingly simple, chemical-free way to stop them in their tracks.

One lovely houseplant, when placed by windows and doors, not only adds greenery to your decor but also keeps ants at bay. With pest activity peaking in the summer months, now is the ideal time to act before a small problem becomes a full invasion. The last thing anybody wants is a trail of ants invading the kitchen. 

A gardening expert at GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk said: "Ant season tends to start late spring and reaches a peak through June to August.

"Like us, ants love the warmer weather and with the sunny weather set to continue, Britons can expect to see more ant activity in their gardens and home."

The expert added: "There are natural ways to deter the insects without harming them, which will discourage ants from entering your home and creating scent trails.

"Ants dislike the strong scents and it disrupts their trails making it harder to find food. In the garden, plant mint; it acts as a natural barrier, and will leave your outside space smelling lovely."

Mint’s strong, sharp scent is highly unpleasant to ants, confusing their scent trails and discouraging them from entering your home in the first place.

The gardening expert affirms: "You could also pot [mint] and place it at entry points including doors, sheds and summerhouses."

Scattering fresh mint leaves near known ant paths is another simple trick that’s both eco-friendly and humane.

While mint is recommended, it’s not the only plant that can help deter ants from entering your home. 

Lavender, with its aroma and attractive purple blooms, is another excellent choice for creating a barrier against crawling pests.

Planting it in borders or placing potted lavender by outdoor seating areas will not only repel ants but also attract beneficial pollinators like bees.

Like mint, lavender can also be turned into a homemade spray when diluted with water, offering an easy, natural solution to ant control.

With a combination of these two fragrant favourites, you can enjoy a pest-free summer without resorting to harsh chemicals or unsightly traps.