When spring arrives, unwelcome guests also arrive, running along baseboards and windowsills, and especially targeting the kitchen, where food is plentiful.
But green-fingered lovers have stumbled upon an unlikely hero in the fight against these pests. It's a common kitchen essential that can be bought for just 90p in major supermarkets.
Aspartame, an artificial sweetener found in a variety of diet drinks and low-calorie snacks, has been the subject of a variety of health hazards, but after numerous studies have confirmed its safety, it remains prohibited for human consumption. It has been approved, the Express reported.
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However, this ingredient spells doom for ants and woodlice, and it has been reported that less than a pound of non-branded alternatives can effectively control these ants. The science behind it is simple. Artificial sweeteners like aspartame contain no calories, so at least the general theory is that ants that ingest them will return to their nests, eat them, and eventually starve to death.
Gardeners sharing tips on Reddit have observed similar results. One user wrote: “If you have an ant infestation, you should know that the saccharin and aspartame in artificial sweeteners will kill most ant colonies, as the nutrients will be gone and the ants will starve.” he advised.
However, be aware that this method may not work every time. As BeTripleG warns, “Here's a warning from someone who battled an ant infestation in June: Don't use too much bait, or they'll start feeding in a feeding frenzy. , which can temporarily make the infestation worse. Also, by luring ants to your food source (poisonous or not) you may inadvertently direct them to better food sources within your home. It may get lost.”
Killing insects should usually only be done as a last possible action, and it is highly recommended that they be left in their garden habitat to keep the insect population thriving and contributing to the food chain. Masu.
