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With summer fast approaching, people across the UK are preparing to make the most of the warmer weather. Windows are being flung open, picnics are being prepared and ants are finding their way into our kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms.

According to the British Pest Control Association, local councils nationwide have conducted over 20,000 ant-related treatments in a single year, demonstrating just how common and challenging these infestations can prove. If left unaddressed, a handful of ants can rapidly multiply into a colony numbering hundreds, or even thousands, and these infestations can prove costly to tackle. Professional pest control services can cost upwards of £165 for an initial visit, with subsequent treatments costing around £60 each time.

Fortunately, Glen Peskett, DIY expert at Saxton Blades, says there's a quick, affordable and natural solution, and it's already sitting in your fridge.

While many people might turn to vinegar when they spot ants invading their homes, Glen says there's another approach that proves equally effective.

He said: "Lemon juice is a brilliant natural ant repellent. The strong citrus scent disrupts their scent trails, and the acidity interferes with the pheromones they use to navigate.

"Just squeeze fresh lemon juice around door frames, windowsills, or anywhere you've seen ants coming in."

This completely natural approach will not only stop ants in their tracks, but keep your home smelling fresh and clean as well.

If you're keen to try this affordable and straightforward method to tackle ants in your home, here's what to do:

• Slice a fresh lemon and squeeze the juice into a small bowl or straight onto a cloth or cotton pad.
• Apply the juice around known entry points such as cracks, windowsills, doorframes, skirting boards, and beneath sinks.
• For added potency, combine lemon juice with a little water and spray along trails where ants are likely to enter.