As Britain continues to bask in , the nation's most common type of - the black ant - has begun to swarm homes and gardens, with a whopping 15,000 critters in each colony.

Many people often for , especially in the summer. However, now you have to wonder no more as the experts at have shared simple tips to without harming them by repelling and destroying their scent trails.

The most straightforward methods involve pouring lemon juice and sprinkling coffee grounds around entry points because ants despise strong acidic smells. Other deterrents include chilli powder and vinegar because the strong scents keep ants at bay and make it difficult for the critters to pick up scent trails.

Alternatively, for gardeners, an easy solution is to plant mint and lavender around the edges of , which act as a natural barrier to keep ants out.

A spokesperson for 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.

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

"Try sprinkling chilli powder or spraying vinegar around entry points. Ants dislike the strong scents and it disrupts their trails making it harder to find food.

"In the garden, plant mint and lavender. These act as a natural barrier, and will leave your outside space smelling lovely. You could also pot them and place them at entry points including doors, sheds and summerhouses."

Check out the expert's top nine natural methods to fend off pesky ants below.

Vinegar

Pesky ants can't stand the pungent odour of vinegar. It confuses their scent trails which are essential for foraging and navigating back to the nest.

For best results, spray the solution around potential entrance areas and zones with high ant visibility.

Chalk

Ants find chalk lines disconcerting due to the calcium carbonate content, which obscures their scent trails. Drawing chalk barriers won't eliminate ants but it'll certainly send them into a tizzy, forcing them to seek alternative routes.

Coffee grounds

The strong aroma and acidity of spent coffee grounds are a major turn-off for ants, plus they despise the texture under their little feet. To form a repelling boundary, scatter the coffee grounds around invasion hotspots and refresh them frequently, as their efficacy fades when dry.

Lemon juice

Another ace in the hole to deter ants is diluted lemon juice. Employ it as a targeted spray at entrances and along established ant processions.

Lemon-infused cleaning can work wonders on floors and countertops deterring those six-legged intruders.

Cinnamon

Delight your nostrils but send ants packing with cinnamon's potent smell. A dusting of ground cinnamon at critical ingress points or a homemade repellent spray using cinnamon oil and water should do the trick.

Mint

Erect a barrier by cultivating mint close to vulnerable access points. Mix peppermint oil with water for an ant-deterring spray, or spread some chopped mint where these tiny marauders march.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is another aroma that ants find repugnant. Soak cotton wool balls in the oil and position them around entry points, or alternatively, create a spray to prevent them from entering your home.

Chilli powder

In addition to disliking the smell of chilli powder, it can also irritate the ants' skin, making it an effective deterrent. Either sprinkle the powder or create a spray.

However, exercise caution if you have children or pets, as chilli powder on little hands or paws can cause issues.

Lavender

Lavender is another aromatic plant that can deter ants. Planting it in your garden will establish a natural barrier; place potted lavender near outdoor seating or other problem areas, or make a spray with lavender oil and water.