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20 Natural Ant Repellents That Really Works

Ant infestations can quickly become a nuisance when ants find a reliable food source in your home. Luckily, you don’t always need to resort to chemicals or exterminators to get rid of them.

There are several natural and DIY methods you can use to repel ants effectively, many of which involve common household items.

From coffee grounds to essential oils, these solutions offer a simple and eco-friendly way to keep ants at bay.

Effective Natural Ant Repellents

Coffee Grounds

After making your morning coffee, don’t throw away the used grounds. Instead, sprinkle them around areas where ants are present.

The strong scent of coffee is known to repel ants, driving them away from the affected area.

Keep in mind that this is a temporary solution, as the potency of the coffee grounds diminishes once they dry out.

To ensure lasting results, it’s best to combine this method with other treatments.

Why it works: Ants dislike the smell of coffee. By spreading the grounds in key areas, you can temporarily force the ants out while you work on a long-term solution.

Vinegar or Essential Oil-Based Cleaning Sprays

While vinegar alone isn’t a complete solution for ant problems, it can play a valuable role in your natural pest control efforts.

If you notice small numbers of ants inside your home, you can spritz them with a vinegar solution and wipe them up.

This method not only eliminates the ants but also removes their pheromone trails, which are used to guide other ants to food sources.

Why it works: Vinegar disrupts the ants’ scent trails, making it harder for them to signal their companions. Without these scent trails, ants are less likely to return to the same area.

Caution: Vinegar is highly acidic and can damage natural stone countertops such as granite or marble.

If you have these surfaces, it’s best to stick to your regular cleaner, which will still help by removing any ant scent trails without harming your countertops.

Essential Oils for Ant Control

Essential oils can be an effective way to deter ants by interfering with their sense of smell, making it harder for them to locate food.

Ants are sensitive to the scent of essential oils like peppermint, tea tree, and citrus, which can drive them away from your home.

To make an ant-repellent spray, mix 8 ounces of water with 30 to 40 drops of essential oil and 30 drops of alcohol.

This solution can be sprayed around areas where ants are present.

Peppermint oil, in particular, is known to disrupt ants’ scent trails, leading them to abandon the area in search of food elsewhere.

Borax as Ant Bait

Borax is another common remedy for ant infestations. When combined with food that appeals to ants, borax serves as an effective bait.

The type of bait you choose depends on the species of ant:

Sugar-loving ants (such as sugar ants): Mix borax with something sweet like jelly, syrup, or honey.

Protein-seeking ants (such as pavement ants): Mix borax with peanut butter or Nutella.

A typical recipe includes ¾ teaspoon of borax mixed with ¼ cup of the chosen base.

Place the bait in areas where ants are active, keeping it out of reach of children and pets, as borax is toxic.

Once consumed, the borax acts as a slow poison, allowing ants to bring the bait back to their colony, eventually killing the queen and stopping reproduction.

Orange Peels for Natural Ant Repellent

Orange peels, or peels from other citrus fruits like lemons and grapefruits, can also repel ants.

Citrus peels contain D-limonene, a compound toxic to ants.

By placing the peels where ants are entering or congregating, you can disrupt their scent trails and deter them from returning.

Baby Powder as a Natural Ant Repellent

To identify ant pathways, sprinkle a line of baby powder (talcum powder) near entry points where you suspect ants are entering your home.

While the powder doesn’t kill ants, it disrupts their scent trails, making it harder for them to navigate.

If the powder is sprinkled directly onto ants, the talc can suffocate them by clogging their tiny breathing holes.

Why it works:

Talcum powder serves as a natural ant deterrent in two ways.

Its strong smell distracts ants from following their scent trails, and when applied directly to ants, the talc can block their airways, effectively suffocating them.

Ground Cinnamon as an Ant Repellent

Ground cinnamon or cinnamon sticks can be used to repel ants from their entry points.

Simply sprinkle ground cinnamon or place sticks in infested areas. This method doesn’t kill the ants but forces them to leave the area.

Why it works:

Cinnamon has a potent aroma that is irritating to ants.

By forming a barrier with the spice, it masks the scent that initially attracted the ants, prompting them to abandon the location.

Cayenne Pepper as an Ant Repellent

If you don’t have cinnamon on hand, cayenne pepper is another effective natural ant deterrent.

Sprinkle the pepper near entry points, baseboards, or problem areas to repel ants.

Be cautious to keep the pepper away from children and pets.

Why it works:

Like cinnamon, cayenne pepper has a strong scent that disrupts the ants’ scent trails.

This confuses the ants, preventing them from finding their way back to the food source.

Soap or Glass Cleaner Spray as an Ant Repellent

Dish soap and glass cleaner can be combined to create a quick and easy solution for repelling ants.

Mix dish soap with water in a spray bottle, or simply use glass cleaner, and spray it on entry points or directly on ants.

This method both repels ants and cleans surfaces.

Why it works:

The chemicals in soap and glass cleaner kill ants on contact.

This method is fast-acting, providing a simple way to eliminate ants and keep your home clean.

Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a natural powder that can be an effective solution for reducing ant activity.

To use it, sprinkle the powder around the baseboards or entry points of your home where ants are present.

This method works by targeting the entire colony, but for larger infestations, it may take more time to see results.

How it works: Diatomaceous earth contains silica, a substance found in rocks. When ants come into contact with it, the silica absorbs moisture from their bodies, leading to dehydration and death.

Boric Acid

Boric acid is another compound used to control ants, often mixed with sweet ingredients like peanut butter or powdered sugar.

This mixture is placed near ant infestations, where the ants consume it.

How it works: The sweet food lures the ants, and the boric acid then damages their nervous and digestive systems, eventually killing them.

Cloves

Cloves, much like cinnamon, can repel ants with their strong scent.

To use, mix two tablespoons of cloves in a spray bottle with warm water and spray the mixture on areas where ants are present.

How it works: The strong smell of cloves repels ants, driving them away from food sources they may be attracted to.

Baking Soda and Powdered Sugar

A combination of baking soda and powdered sugar can also repel ants.

Sprinkle the mixture around your home to attract and kill ants.

How it works: The powdered sugar attracts the ants, while the baking soda disrupts their systems, leading to their death.

Boiling Water

Boiling water is a quick and easy way to eliminate an ant colony. Simply bring a pot of water to a boil and carefully pour it over the colony.

How it works: The high temperature of the water kills the ants instantly, and the water also drowns those in the nest.

Chalk

Chalk can help disrupt an ant trail. Draw a line or crush a stick of chalk and sprinkle the powder around the affected area.

How it works: Chalk contains calcium carbonate, which interferes with the ants’ scent trail.

While this method confuses ants, it won’t eliminate an infestation completely, but it can help keep ants from entering your home.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is a natural deterrent for ants due to its strong scent.

To create a lemon spray, mix three parts water with one part lemon juice and spray the mixture in areas where you notice ant activity.

Why it works

The powerful fragrance of lemon juice masks the food scent trails that ants follow.

If they can’t detect the scent, they won’t be able to find food and will leave the area.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is another strong-smelling essential oil that repels ants. To make a tea tree oil spray, combine 8 ounces of water, 30-40 drops of tea tree essential oil, and 30 drops of alcohol.

Spray the mixture in areas where ants are present.

Why it works

The potent smell of tea tree oil disrupts the scent trails ants use to locate food, effectively keeping them out of your home.

Salt

While salt doesn’t kill ants, it acts as a barrier that they avoid. Place a line of salt at entry points to prevent ants from entering your space.

Why it works

Salt dehydrates ants, causing them to avoid areas where it’s present.

Dish Soap and Water

A mixture of dish soap and water is highly effective in repelling and killing ants. Mix dish soap with water in a spray bottle and apply it to areas with ant activity.

Why it works

Dish soap breaks down the pheromone trails ants follow and kills them on contact.

Cedar Essential Oil

Cedar oil, similar to peppermint and tea tree oils, repels ants with its strong fragrance and also acts as a natural pesticide.

Mix cedar essential oil with water and alcohol in the same proportions as other essential oil sprays.

Why it works

Cedar oil not only repels ants but also kills them due to its pesticide properties.

How to Prevent Ant Infestations

1. Clean Up Food Messes

Ants are constantly searching for food. Even small crumbs or food residue can attract them.

Be sure to clean up spills, food scraps, and crumbs regularly to prevent ants from finding food sources in your home.

2. Seal Entry Points

Find and seal cracks or holes in windows, doors, and baseboards where ants might enter your home.

Regular maintenance and caulking of gaps can block ants and other pests from getting inside.

3. Manage Landscaping

Trim plants and shrubs around your home, keeping them at least 18 inches from the foundation.

Ants use vegetation as bridges to enter your home, so keeping the landscaping tidy is crucial.

4. Store Pet Food Properly

Pet food is a major attractant for ants. Always clean up stray food pieces and store pet food in sealed containers to keep ants from feasting on your pets’ meals.

5. Fix Moisture Issues

Moisture attracts pests like carpenter ants, which seek out water-damaged wood.

Address any leaks or water damage promptly to prevent ants from nesting in moist areas.

6. Treat Houseplants

Ants can be drawn to the sweet scents of indoor plants. Inspect and treat your plants regularly. If ants appear, use a garlic spray to keep them at bay.

What If Natural Methods Don’t Work?

If natural remedies fail to keep ants away or if the infestation worsens, consider these options:

– Call a professional exterminator.

– Use store-bought pesticides, but follow safety precautions, including wearing gloves and storing chemicals away from children and pets.