How To Get Rid Of Ants Naturally (2024)

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Do you have ant problem at your house? Skip the chemicals and try these ways to get rid of ants naturally. They work great to get rid of ants and some will make your house smell fantastic.

It's that time of year. The weather is warm, the windows are open letting in a breeze, and the ants are joining us once again.

It seems it happens the same way every year. I see one of those little guys and think it's annoying.

Then I turn around there are 10 or 20 ants. Although I will use bug spray on the outside of our house, I really don't like to use it inside.

Especially in our kitchen where we seem to get them the most.

I am always looking for a natural (and inexpensive!) way to get rid of ants. Over the years, I have tried quite a few different methods, and these are a few of my favorites.

So if you have those little buggers all over your house check out these great ways to get rid of ants naturally.

How To Get Rid Of Ants Naturally

There are a variety of different ways to get rid of ants naturally.

Some smell great and others are a little stinky. Some of the things you may need to get rid of the ants are:

  • garlic (minced)
  • peppermint oil (I love this brand)
  • vinegar
  • cinnamon (ground from the spice section)
  • cornmeal
How To Get Rid Of Ants Naturally (2)

How To Get Rid Of Ants With Garlic

Garlic is one of the best ways to get rid of ants naturally. I have used it multiple times with success. The downside to garlic is it smells.

So, on a hot day, you will be smelling that garlic all day long.

Just set out a small bowl with some minced garlic and the ants disappear.

After a couple of days, you can throw the garlic out and the ants should be gone.

How To Get Rid Of Ants Naturally (3)

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Cornmeal To Kill Ants

Cornmeal is a very inexpensive way to kill off ants. Just lay out a small hill of cornmeal and they will take it back to their home.

The ants can't digest the cornmeal and they will all die.

This is a good one to use if you have small children or pets and don't want them getting into garlic or peppermint oil.

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Get Rid Of Ants Naturally With Vinegar

Toget rid of ants naturally with vinegar just mix up a spray bottle of 50 percent water and 50 percent vinegar.

Spray all the ants and then wipe them up. You can keep them from coming back by spraying down the windowsills and doors where you see them coming in.

It's easy and quick to do, plus you don't have a mess.

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Peppermint Oil To Keep Ants Away

Peppermint oil is a great smelling way to get rid of ants. Just put a couple of drops of peppermint oil on a cotton ball and place by where the ants are.

The ants will retreat to where they came from and you will have a kitchen that smells wonderful.

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Cinnamon To Get Rid Of Ants

Much like the peppermint, cinnamon is a better smelling option to keep the ants away.

Just pick up some cheap ground cinnamon and sprinkle in the areas that you have seen the ants.

The ants will quickly leave and not come back. It's easy and smells great! It's one of my favorite ways toget rid of ants naturally.

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Keep Countertops Cleaned From Crumbs

Another good way of getting rid of the ants is to keep your kitchen clean of any crumbs and dirty dishes.

I am not surprisedthat our ants came while our dishwasher was broken. I wasn't staying on top of washing each dish when we finished with it and attracted some ants with our leftovers.

By making sure that all the crumbs and food are gone you will leave them looking somewhere else.

NOTE: If you have children or small pets you will still need to be careful where you use these methods.

My ants are usually on the kitchen counter, so I don't have to worry about putting garlic out for the ants. When I have ants on the floor I use the vinegar method so the dogs don't get into any food.

Next time you see some ants, don't grab the ant spray. Try these easy and frugal ways to get rid of ants naturally.

Want some more easy cleaning tips?

  • How to get rid of spiders naturally
  • Free Weekly Cleaning Schedule Printable
  • How To Keep Mosquitos Away

How To Get Rid Of Ants Naturally (8)
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How To Get Rid Of Ants Naturally (2024)

FAQs

How To Get Rid Of Ants Naturally? ›

Mix a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray it directly on the ants to kill them, then wipe up the ants using a damp paper towel and discard them. You can also use vinegar and water as a deterrent; spray it around your windowsills, doorways and other places where you see ants coming inside.

What will rid ants completely naturally? ›

Mix a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray it directly on the ants to kill them, then wipe up the ants using a damp paper towel and discard them. You can also use vinegar and water as a deterrent; spray it around your windowsills, doorways and other places where you see ants coming inside.

What keeps ants away permanently? ›

Two of the best ways to eliminate ants are Borax and diatomaceous earth. Essential oils, including peppermint and clove, are a natural way to repel and kill ants. Food and moisture attract ants, so keep your home clean and dry to get rid of ants permanently.

What is the best homemade ant killer? ›

Make a paste of borax (one part) and sugar (three parts) and stir it into water to dissolve the mixture. Place it in a glass jar or any other container. Ants are attracted to this sweet paste, which they will carry to the queen. This can destroy the entire ant colony.

What is the number 1 way to get rid of ants? ›

1. Ant Traps. One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to get rid of ants is by purchasing small plastic ant traps. Place the traps by door thresholds, window sills, and baseboards to lure the ants as soon as they enter your home.

How do I get rid of 100% ants? ›

Here are some of the best ways to kill and repel ants naturally using ingredients found in the home or at a local store.
  1. Borax (sodium tetraborate) ...
  2. Diatomaceous earth (silicon dioxide) ...
  3. Glass cleaner and liquid detergent. ...
  4. Ground black or red pepper. ...
  5. Peppermint. ...
  6. Tea tree oil. ...
  7. Lemon eucalyptus oil. ...
  8. Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)

How long will vinegar keep ants away? ›

Vinegar only remains effective for as long as the scent lingers. When the solution dries up, homeowners need to reapply the solution in the problem areas to keep ants away. However, it's important to remember that vinegar shouldn't be treated as the main line of defense against ant infestations.

What ants hate the most? ›

Household items like citrus fruits, black pepper, peppermint oil, cayenne, thyme, and lavender can create natural ant repellents. Great for avoiding pesticides or conventional ant traps! Mixing parts of these substances with water in a bottle and spraying the solution around the house can keep ants at bay.

What happens when ants eat baking soda? ›

This is wonderful for humans and one of the many reasons why it's eaten. For ants, though, the altering of their bodies' natural chemistry is fatal. Worker ants will also carry the chemical compound back to their mounds to share with the rest of the colony, so baking soda can kill the queen and stop an infestation.

What is the fastest way to get rid of ants naturally? ›

A simple and natural ant trap can be made by mixing equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar. The sugar attracts the ants, the baking soda naturally kills them. Using shallow dishes, strategically place this mixture in the areas where you experience the most ant traffic.

How to get rid of ants in the house quickly? ›

If you find ants in your home, create a solution of equal parts vinegar and water and wipe them off. Not only will this kill existing ants, but it will also repel future ants by leaving a lingering vinegar scent that acts as a natural ant repellent.

What is the secret to getting rid of ants overnight? ›

Red or black pepper:

Ants despise cayenne (red) pepper and black pepper. Sprinkle pepper in spots where ants enter your home. You can make a pepper and water solution and spray it near the entry regions.

Does baking soda get rid of ants? ›

There is no evidence that baking soda kills ants or sharply reduces their numbers. At best, it may indirectly repel them as an odor eliminator. That is why, for actual ant eradication, I suggest sticking with commercial baits and ant sprays with active pesticide ingredients approved for indoor and outdoor use.

How to get rid of crazy ants? ›

Use a non-repellent ant spray to prevent your targets from wandering off upon contact. Insecticidal chemicals stick to the bodies of the infected ants and pass it on to other individuals in the colony. For better results, you can complement spray insecticide with dust treatment.

How to get rid of ants in the house quickly naturally? ›

To eliminate ants naturally, mix peppermint or lavender oil (two scents ants hate) with water and spray mixture on entry points like windowsills or door frames. If you decide to take the chemical route, look for a product with boric acid, and make sure to carefully read the instructions.

What do ants hate the most? ›

Household items like citrus fruits, black pepper, peppermint oil, cayenne, thyme, and lavender can create natural ant repellents. Great for avoiding pesticides or conventional ant traps! Mixing parts of these substances with water in a bottle and spraying the solution around the house can keep ants at bay.

How to get rid of ants permanently overnight? ›

What Are Some Natural Remedies
  1. Vinegar-apply via spray bottle. ...
  2. Chalk-simply draw a line across the area where the ants are entering. ...
  3. Cinnamon-same usage as a chalk line. ...
  4. Lemon Juice-half lemon juice and half water sprayed around your home will make it smell nice and keep pests out.
Sep 10, 2021

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