Ants can be a pesky nuisance whether they’re sneaking into your kitchen or invading your backyard.
But don’t worry, there are plenty of natural and effective ways to kick them to the curb without harmful chemicals. Here are 10 smart ways to get rid of ants naturally.
Natural Ways to Get Rid of Ants
Ants may cause damage to your home, so it’s important to know how to stop them from coming. Check out these top ten tips for kicking ants to the curb:
1. Use Lemon and Peppermint to Pest Control
Other ants or carpenter ants and in your home can be a nuisance, but there are safe ways to kill ants without harming your family or pets.
Lemon and peppermint oils are natural repellents that ants dislike, so using them can help eliminate ants from your home.
You can also use these oils to prevent ants from entering your home in the first place.
2. Keep Ants Away with Citrus
Citrus contains substances that disrupt the growth of fungi, which is why ants avoid areas with oranges or lemons.
To keep them away, scatter citrus peels in areas where you’ve noticed them, or spray fresh lemon juice in ant hotspots.
Replace the peels or reapply the juice every few days. Keep the area clean to avoid attracting ants. With the power of citrus, you can maintain an ant-free home environment.
3. Repel Ants With White Vinegar
One of the best ways to keep ants at bay is to use natural remedies that ants don’t like. Vinegar can be used to fight ants.
Mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spray it where you see ants marching.
Vinegar’s strong smell is something ants really dislike and it also erases the scent trails that ants leave behind, which confuses them and stops them from coming back.
4. Use Essential Oils to Repel Ants Naturally
Odorous house ants and pesky ants can be deterred by using vinegar or peppermint oil around the house, creating a barrier that ants hate.
Peppermint, tea tree, and cinnamon oils are natural deterrents that ants can’t stand. Place a few drops of your chosen oil on cotton balls and scatter them around areas where ants frequent.
But, be cautious if you have pets because some oils can be harmful to them. By following these simple steps, you can enjoy a pleasant fragrance while keeping ants out of your living space.
5. Using Coffee Grounds Can Prevent Ants From Coming
One of the best ways to keep ants at bay is to use natural remedies that ants don’t like. Coffee grounds can be an effective and natural way to deal with ants invading your home.
Sprinkle the coffee grounds around the areas where the ants are entering your home, either directly on the ground, in a thin line along the ants’ path, or near the entry points to create a barrier.
Also, coffee grounds can serve multiple purposes, such as fertilizing plants or deodorizing your fridge.
6. Diatomaceous Earth : Top Remedy
Keeping ants in your home away is also about being a good detective. DE works wonders in the battle against ants. It’s not a poison, but a mechanical pest control.
When ants come into contact with DE, it sticks to their exoskeletons and absorbs the oils and fats from their cuticle, the protective layer on their outside.
This process causes them to dehydrate and eventually die. The best part? Ants can’t develop resistance to DE because it kills them through physical action, not chemical.
Choosing the Right Type of DE
When you’re buying DE, it’s crucial to get the food-grade variety. This type is refined and purified, and it’s safe for humans and animals to ingest.
It’s important not to confuse food-grade DE with filter-grade DE, which is used in swimming pool filters and can be harmful if inhaled or ingested.
Always check the label to ensure it’s food-grade before using it around your home.
Applying Diatomaceous Earth Safely
Sprinkle a thin layer of DE in areas where you see ants, such as windowsills and doorways. Use a light dusting, reapply after cleaning or if it gets wet, and wear a dust mask when applying to avoid irritation.
Environmental and Pet Considerations
DE is a favorite for environmentally conscious individuals because it’s a natural substance, not a synthetic chemical. It’s also an appealing option for pet owners.
7. Use Bait Back To The Nest
Safe ways to get rid of ants without kill any ants: use bait back to the nest to stop ants from getting around the home. Ants like sweet baits, so use sugar and borax mix to lure ants to follow the trail back to the nest .
8. Stop Ants From Coming Back By Sealing Off Access
Ants enter your home through cracks and holes, so seal off access for ants with caulk or silicone. Black ants and house ants won’t be able to sneak in.
To stopping ants from entering indoors, place cinnamon or coffee grounds along entry points, deterring ants in the kitchen.
9. Place Bay Leaves, Cloves or Garlic
Place bay leaves, cloves, or garlic cloves in areas where ants are congregating to drive them away. Ants love to hide indoors, so it’s important to target areas where you’ve found ants in the house.
Worker ants and scout ants can be deterred by the strong scent of these natural repellents, but they won’t kill ants.
If you need to repel ants outdoors, consider creating a barrier with bay leaves or cloves to keep pests from coming inside.
Different types of ants may infest your home, from fire ants to crazy ants. Make sure to inspect your home for any sign of ant colonies and stop ants from coming.
10. Plant Mint, Lavender, or Basil
Plant mint, lavender, or basil around the perimeter of your home to naturally repel ants.
Ants are one of the most common household pests, and ants also tend to hide in dark, damp places like underneath sinks or around windows.
If you notice a line of ants crawling towards your home, it’s a sign that they’re looking for food. By planting mint, lavender, or basil around your home to keep ants away, you can prevent them from getting inside.
