Ants are known for being effective natural predators of fleas and caterpillars in gardens, helping pollinate flowers while pollinating. Unfortunately, however, they can become troublesome inside homes as well. There are numerous methods available that are both pet-safe and kid-safe to effectively rid oneself of ants in one's own home.
Sprinkle diatomaceous earth (DE) around any areas where you observe ant activity, particularly where they enter or exit homes or offices. The powder will adhere to and dry out their exoskeletons.
1. Neem Oil
Neem oil is an effective natural way to combat ants in your garden by interfering with their hormonal systems and making feeding and reproduction difficult for them. Pour a few teaspoons of clarified neem oil into a spray bottle and soak all plants, both the foliage and soil beneath, with it for best results.
White vinegar can also help deter ants. Sprinkle baby powder around your doors and windows or soak cotton balls in undiluted cinnamon leaf essential oil to keep ants away. Finally, consider placing cotton balls near entry points of your home where ant trails might gather.
2. Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds, both new and used, serve as an effective and eco-friendly means of deterring pests such as ants. By disorienting their scent trails and confusing them, coffee grounds cause these insects to lose their way and dissipate into thin air.
Scatter unused grounds around areas where ants have been seen and you will see them quickly disappear. Although not as effective as insect sprays, this method offers more eco-friendly benefits.
3. Vinegar
White vinegar solution can be an effective way of controlling ants in your home, including window sills and baseboards where they enter. Spray it onto these areas when necessary for best results.
Ants tend to avoid vinegar due to its strong scent; lavender, garlic and essential oils have also proven successful at discouraging them from nesting nearby.
Neem oil can also be an effective way to repel ants in your garden by disrupting their pheromone trail and leading them away from nest locations, thus dissuading them from coming nearer.
4. Lemon Juice
Spread lemon juice around entry ways to deter ants. Although its scent might tempt us, lemon juice actually disrupts their scent trail and confuses them so they cannot find food sources.
Lemon Eucalyptus Oil is another effective natural ant repellent available from health food stores or online.
Boiling water can quickly eliminate ants by direct contact and also cause their nest to collapse, so if an outdoor nest exists pour boiling water over it.
5. Pepper
Black pepper and cayenne may be great additions to salads and deviled eggs, but they can also act as effective ant repellents. Simply sprinkle some wherever ants have entered your home to disrupt their pheromone trail and discourage future visits from them.
Essential oils such as lemon, neem, tea tree oil, eucalyptus and lemon grass can help deter them; mix these oils with water in a spray bottle and spray around entry points. Chalk is another effective deterrent; just draw a line in front of your home's entrances to create confusion over their scent trail and confuse their travel plans.
6. White Vinegar
Straight white vinegar in a spray bottle can help eliminate and deter an infestation of ants, especially for serious infestations that threaten baseboards, windows or counters. Apply this solution liberally over any problem areas like baseboards, windows or counters where ants might gather.
Lemon Eucalyptus Oil can also be a highly effective insect repellent and is widely available at health food stores. Anecdotal evidence suggests it works by disrupting pheromone trails, disorienting ants, and deterring them from entering. You could use it to saturate cotton balls placed strategically throughout your kitchen for maximum effect.
7. Cinnamon
Cinnamon has a powerful scent that disrupts ant pheromone trails to find food, as well as repelling them and killing them. Many prefer cinnamon essential oil because its effects are more potency and causes less of a mess than ground cinnamon sticks.
Combine water and cinnamon oil in a spray bottle and apply to ant mounds and trails - this non-toxic solution is child and pet safe!
8. Talcum Powder
Applying baby powder or regular talcum powder in problematic spots helps block their pheromone trail. Adding chalk lines increases their effect; and these items should already be present in your home.
Certain spices and herbs have also proven effective at repelling ants, so try placing cinnamon, black peppercorns, cloves or mint near areas where ants have caused havoc.
Food should always be stored in bins, sealed off cracks and entries, surfaces regularly cleaned and other hygiene measures implemented to control ants can help eliminate their presence in your home or garden. These natural and non-toxic solutions will be safe for both children and pets too.
