l

How to Get Rid of Ants Naturally

How to Get Rid of Ants Naturally


Have ants invaded your home? Like many pests, ants swarm indoors once they find a good source of food. They can easily enter your home through any small cracks or openings. Here you will learn how to get rid of ants naturally and effectively without any heavy costs.


**This post contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase, I will receive a small commission after you have clicked on my link.

Sure it may seem all to easy to pick up the phone and call your local pest control company. However, getting rid of ants can be a simple task you can do yourself. You can save yourself money without worrying about having harmful chemicals spread around your home.

Turns out there are several non-toxic ways to get rid of these pesky little ants. The following is a list of six all natural items you may already have on hand in your home. Ants seem to hate the aromas from all of these causing them to scatter and go away.


1. Vinegar and water solution

Simply take a spray bottle and fill it with equal amounts of vinegar and water. Spray over counter tops several times per day. You can use plain vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Either one is just as effective.

2. Fresh lemons

Simply cut up one lemon and add both the peelings and juice to vinegar and water. This is also great for wiping down surfaces and washing the floors.

3. Citrus peels

Peelings can be from lemons, limes, oranges, and even grapefruit. Lay out the peelings wherever you have seen ants. Apparently citrus peelings are toxic to ants. Remove the peelings once they dry out and replace as needed. 

4. Cinnamon sticks

To people cinnamon may smell quite nice and fresh, plus it actually works well as a natural ant repellent due to its strong smell. Place cinnamon sticks near the entrance of your home and anywhere else you may have seen ants such as window sills and cracks. To give this repellant an added boost add some essential oil. Powder will also work although sticks last longer and are less expensive.

5. Baking soda and powdered sugar

Mix equal amounts of baking soda and powdered sugar in a container and place it near the entry points in your home. This method isn’t a quick fix but rather a long-term solution. Ants will carry the sweet poison home and destroy their colony.

6. Black pepper or cayenne pepper 

Ants hate cayenne pepper. Black pepper will work just as well too. Locate the source of the ant infestation problem, sprinkle some pepper around that area and if possible, create a wall that will stop the ants from accessing your household. An alternative solution is to mix some pepper with water and spray the resulting solution at the ants. The pepper won’t kill the ants but it sure will deter them from returning. 

7. Garlic cloves

The most effective way to use these is to peel them and slice them. Then place them around where you see ants. Replace daily.

8. Create a barrier

Many people seem to have success by creating a barrier with something that ants don't like. Draw an line across entry points such as doorways and windows using either chalk, baby powder, salt, or cayenne pepper. If the ants don't like it there is a really good chance that they won't cross it.

9. Essential oils

Fill a spray bottle with water and add about 20 drops of peppermint, orange, or lemon essential oil. Shake well and spray down doors and window sills. It repels the ants and covers the scent of any food or pheromones.

10. Coffee grounds 

Brewed coffee grounds have been found to detract ants. Try sprinkling the freshly brewed coffee grounds on disposable surfaces such as folder paper, paper towels, or thin cardboard and leaving them in areas where ants congregateYou can also place the grounds on windowsills. The grounds will lose their potency once they’re dry, so make sure to replace as needed.


How to Get Rid of Ants Naturally



Have you tried to get rid of ants naturally?






Post a Comment

6 Comments

  1. Hi Bismah. The ants come every summer in my house. I know I can't get rid of them but I definitely try to control them in the kitchen area. I did a post on this too. I spray down the counters with vinegar and water often. For other areas in the house, I put down baby powder and vacuum or sweep. It keeps them at bay!

    Sharon
    http://makeitorfixit.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sharon!
      Thank you. I will check out your post for more ideas. They really are hard to get rid of without using something every day. They just seem to keep coming back.

      Delete
  2. My mother in law has the worst luck with getting ants at her house. I have been lucky and have only had them once. Great natural ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Good info to know. I think that I will try the lemon peels. We juice lemons most days of the week, so we have them all of the time. Do you know if the lemon peels work in the garden? I have heard to use corn meal or coffee grinds. We are going to try corn meal and see...

    Following you back! --Mel S
    http://twomomsalittletimeandakeyboard.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have heard that corn meal works well too. Unfortunately I cannot buy that here.
    Depending on the temperature the lemon peels would probably dry up quickly. Don't hurt to try though.
    Best of luck!

    ReplyDelete