There's a line in one of the Robocop movies, "Don't forget what you already know," or something like that. I may be remembering that wrong BUT check out these very useful kitchen tips from the pages of history, as compiled by Tipnut. For example:
To keep cheese from getting hard, cut off enough for immediate use and spread the remaining portion with a thin film of butter or margarine. Put it in a cool place. This keeps out the air and prevents the cheese from drying out.
Sprinkle pantry shelves, window sills, and door sills with a mixture of red pepper and sage to rid them of ants.
A smooth shiny egg shell is a sign of old age. Fresh eggs have a chalky rough shell
To make peeling hard-cooked eggs easier, butter your thumbs.
From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by JKirchartz.
What works for ants is borax powder mixed with sugar or really powerful and toxic ant poison.
I have never found an earthy-friendly method of getting rid of ants that actually works and I have tried dozens and dozens of things.
I remember some of these things from home economics class. (I am in my mid thirties) But I also grew up conserving and recyling things.
The "recipe" for getting rid of ants was a piece of drinking straw filled with peanut butter that was mixed with boric acid.