One thing about me is that I love to do things on a budget. Hacks are a great way to save money and be creative with products you probably already have in your pantry. My mother was the Queen of making something out of nothing with things she had on hand.

105.1 The Block logo
Get our free mobile app

I don’t know what’s been up lately, but I’ve had an influx of ants in my kitchen and on the back patio. I cleaned, scrubbed and was sure to put away all food. Nothing worked.

Tracking ants are even harder. Those things are so tiny, and they can go anywhere. The whole marching ants is pretty cool to watch. I found out from The Conversation that “worker ants of some species find a tasty piece of food, they respond by placing a tiny droplet of pheromone on the ground. They continue to leave a trail of pheromones all the way back to the nest.” Who knew.

I’ve shared my mother’s (not so) secret remedies for getting rid of gnats and flies a few weeks ago. I guess it’s time to share her hack for getting rid of ants for good.

Cheap Remedy for Killing Indoor Ants Fast

1 cup of warm water (zero cost)

½ teaspoon Borax ($3)

1 tablespoon sugar (more than likely you have this on hand)

Stir really well

Soak cotton balls in the solution for about 5 to 10 minutes.

Then place the cotton balls in a plate or plastic lid where the liquid will not run out.

Leave it to sit.

The Ants will come and either die on the spot or take the liquid treat back to the ant hive.

Another trick my mother would do is take honey, squirt it on the counter, mix in ½ teaspoon Borax, and let the ants come hither. Messy, but it works. If she didn't have borax she used salt.

Here is how you mix it up for a big batch, genius.

 

Cheap Remedy for Killing Outdoor Ants Fast

All of the solutions are under 3 bucks. Sprinkle one of these household items around the problem area: Baby Powder, Cinnamon, or Cayenne Pepper. It keeps them away.

 

(Source) Click here for more from The Conversation.

LOOK: Here Are 30 Foods That Are Poisonous to Dogs

To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.

 

LOOK: Here Are 30 Foods That Are Poisonous to Dogs

To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.

KEEP LOOKING: See What 50 of America's Most 'Pupular' Dog Breeds Look Like as Puppies

LOOK: 30 fascinating facts about sleep in the animal kingdom

LOOK: Stunning animal photos from around the world

From grazing Tibetan antelope to migrating monarch butterflies, these 50 photos of wildlife around the world capture the staggering grace of the animal kingdom. The forthcoming gallery runs sequentially from air to land to water, and focuses on birds, land mammals, aquatic life, and insects as they work in pairs or groups, or sometimes all on their own.

WATCH OUT: These are the deadliest animals in the world

 

OH NO WE DIDN'T: 12 Photos That Prove That Alpacas Are Cuter Than Llamas

More From 105.1 The Block