Ants can be a persistent issue, whether they're marching across your garden or sneaking into your home. And while there are many chemical insecticides that can help deal with it, it's not always an ideal solution. However, knowing exactly which natural repellents work and which don't can be a bit of a guessing game.

That's why gardening experts at Yell recommend a natural solution that will not only keep ants out of your garden but also prevent them from entering your home. It turns out, one of the most powerful natural deterrents for ants is the strong scent of citrus (one writer destroyed a "massive" ant infestation in her home but one chemical remover was "useless" - you can read about her experience here).

As the experts suggest, lemon is a particularly effective and affordable method to fend off these pesky insects, costing as little as 30p at Tesco and Sainsbury's.

The solution is really simple and shouldn't take longer than a few minutes. Just mix lemon juice with water and spray it along ant trails.

This citrus aroma disrupts their scent trails, making it difficult for them to navigate and return to the area.

For added protection, you can even use lemon juice directly in places where ants might be entering your home.

According to the team at Safeguard Pest Control, "you can squirt lemon juice directly into known entry points and place shavings of lemon rind along the ant's pathways."

This double-duty technique ensures both the outside and inside of your home remain ant-free.

However, there's one important thing to keep in mind if you're using bottled lemon juice: ensure there's no added sugar. Otherwise, you might end up attracting more ants, defeating the entire purpose of the solution.

But lemon isn't the only natural remedy you can rely on. Ants also dislike the fresh scent of peppermint oil, which works in a similar way. A few drops of peppermint oil mixed with water can be sprayed around affected areas, keeping your home smelling fresh while warding off pests.

Other common household ingredients, such as vinegar and baking soda, can also be used to tackle ant problems.

Mixing equal parts vinegar and water creates a natural repellent that's safe for your plants and flowers while keeping ants at bay.