Fortunately, there are natural and DIYant-repellentmethods toget rid of antswithout calling an exterminator.
Read on to discover easy and natural methods forgetting rid of ants in your homeor yard.
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Warning
Due to its acidity, vinegar is often too harsh for natural stone countertops.
It’ll still help with the ants by eliminating scent trails.
They’ll quickly lose interest in your home if there’s the smell of peppermint oil in the air.
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Make a spray using peppermint oil, tea tree oil, and citrus oil.
Why this works:Essential oils, including peppermint, will impact an ant’s sense of smell.
This will entice them to eat it.
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Then, place the mixture where the ants will find it.
If you have small kids or pets, be sure to put it out of their reach.
It may be natural, but borax is still toxic.
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Why this works:Once consumed, borax is a slow-acting poison.
No queen, no eggs, no colony.
Why this works:Most citrus peels contain a toxic acidic oil called D-limonene that kills ants.
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Why this works:Talcum powder works in two ways as a natural ant repellent.
Ground Cinnamon
Cinnamon ant repellent deters ants from the original food source and forces them to leave.
Why this works:Cinnamon has a strong scent that’s very potent to ants.
Orange peels are one type of food production scrap that may be added to cattle feed.(Photo: Charikova/Shutterstock)
By sprinkling a line around the infestation, this spice will deter ants rather than kill them.
Just double-check the mixture is away from any pants or children.
Soap or Cleaner Spray
An easy, natural ant repellent is dish soap and glass cleaning spray.
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Not only does this get rid of your ant problem, but it also cleans your house.
Grab a spray bottle and mix together your dish soap and water or opt for just your glass cleaner.
Why this works:Soap and glass cleaners contain chemicals that kill ants on contact.
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This is a great way to minimize the problem fast for an ant-free home.
This powder should be sprinkled around your baseboards or entrance area to begin working.
Why this works:Diatomaceous earth contains silica, a component found in rock.
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Boric acid will damage the ant’s nervous and digestive systems and cause them to die.
Cloves
Cloves are another spice similar to cinnamon that ants are not a fan of.
Why this works:Cloves have a strong smell that repels ants from the source they are attracted to.
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Baking Soda and Powdered Sugar
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Another natural ant-repellent isbaking sodaand powdered sugar.
Sprinkle this chalk-like mixture around your home to attract and kill ants.
Boiling Water
One instant ant-repellent to take care of your infestation is boiling water.
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Bring a pot of water to a boil before carefully pouring on the ant colony.
Why this works:Chalk contains calcium carbonate that confuses the original scent the ants smelled.
They won’t hang around if they can’t find a food source.
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Spray it wherever you get ants.
If they don’t know there’s food, they won’t come into your home.
Salt
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Salt doesn’t kill ants, but it definitely keeps them away.
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It’ll act like a moat, standing in their way.
Why this works: Salt can dehydrate ants (just like humans!
), so they’ll steer clear when it’s present.
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The second is that it immediately kills them on contact.
And food messes don’t only attractants in the kitchen.
Seal cracks around windows and doorframes, as well as cracks in your tile.
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Plants should be cleared at least 18" around the foundation.
Keep Pet Food Away
Ants love pet food, especially ants like the pavement ant.
Most household methods are designed to kill ants or keep them away over time.
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The fastest way to get rid of ants using a homemade method is using diatomaceous earth.
Is Ant Bait Safe Around Children?.
National Capital Poison Center.
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Ant Baits: A Least-Toxic Control.University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension.
University of Minnesota Extension.
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