It can be frustrating when your home is infested with ants. They’re everywhere, from the nooks and crannies of your home to your bedding, disrupting your sleep and daily life. You just want them gone.
However, constantly spraying insecticides can be unpleasant. Why not try these 7 easy, effective, and natural ant repellent methods using ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen?
1 Black Pepper Repellent
Sprinkle black pepper in areas where ants are prevalent, such as their paths, nests, or the foundation of your home, and watch them scatter and disappear. This is an effective and simple trick to get rid of ants that you should try.
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Black Pepper Repellent
2 Garlic Repellent
Garlic, a common kitchen staple, is an effective ant repellent. Simply place one or two cloves of fresh garlic near areas where ants frequently appear, and they will stay away. Replace the garlic cloves once they dry out to ensure the ants don’t return.
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Garlic Repellent – Ants won’t stand a chance
3 Vinegar Repellent
One of the most effective natural solutions to repel ants is vinegar. It damages their sense of smell and destroys their pheromone trails.
Spray a diluted vinegar solution on doorways, windows, or any other areas where ants are a problem. Since vinegar evaporates quickly, you’ll need to spray it daily to maintain its effectiveness.
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Vinegar Repellent
4 Lemon Repellent
If you’re not a fan of the smell of vinegar, lemon is an effective alternative. Mix a few teaspoons of lemon juice or 10 drops of lemon essential oil with 200ml of water, pour the mixture into a spray bottle, and spritz it in areas where you see ants.
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Lemon Repellent
5 Peppermint Oil Repellent
Peppermint oil has a refreshing scent and can disrupt the communication of ants, causing them to lose their sense of direction and disappear.
Dilute 10 drops of peppermint oil with 200ml of water and spray the mixture around areas where you don’t want to see ants.
Not only will your home be ant-free, but it will also smell wonderful.
Peppermint Oil Repellent
6 Kerosene Repellent
Kerosene seems to be the arch-nemesis of ants. Simply apply a small amount of kerosene to the legs of tables and chairs, beds, or near ant nests. The ants will get the message and move out.
Kerosene Repellent
7 Talcum Powder Repellent
A natural way to get rid of ants is to use talcum powder. Sprinkle a little talcum powder in areas where ants gather and live. The powder absorbs moisture and cleans the air, leaving the ants with nowhere to hide.
Talcum Powder Repellent
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8 Chalk Repellent
Chalk contains substances that can disrupt the pheromones of ants, making it difficult for them to sense their surroundings. Simply draw a line of chalk or sprinkle chalk powder in areas you want to keep ant-free.
Chalk Repellent
9 Cornstarch Repellent
You can get rid of ants by placing cornstarch in areas where ants are present. Ants will eat the cornstarch but won’t be able to digest it. Cornstarch is inexpensive and safe, especially if you have young children or pets.
Cornstarch Repellent
10 Dish Soap Repellent
Mix one part dish soap with two parts water in a spray bottle, shake well, and spritz the mixture onto ants. The soap will suffocate and kill them. You can also use this mixture to get rid of cockroaches.
Dish Soap Repellent
11 Kerosene Oil Repellent
Soak a cloth in kerosene oil and wipe it along the corners of your house, table and chair legs, ant nests, and their paths to keep them at bay.
Kerosene Oil Repellent
12 Baking Soda Repellent
Mix baking soda with sugar in a 1:1 ratio and place it where ants usually pass through. The sugar will attract the ants, and the baking soda will kill them if ingested. Alternatively, you can simply sprinkle baking soda in areas where ants are present.
Baking Soda Repellent
13 Sticky Tape Repellent
Create a barrier with sticky tape around areas where ants usually pass through, with the sticky side facing outwards. The ants will get stuck on the tape. Once the tape is full of ants, simply replace it with a new one.
Sticky Tape Repellent
14 Cinnamon Oil Repellent
Cinnamon oil is highly effective in repelling ants. Simply sprinkle a few drops of cinnamon oil in areas you want to keep ant-free, and they won’t dare to come near. Alternatively, you can use cinnamon powder in a similar way.
Cinnamon Oil Repellent
15 Coffee Repellent
Coffee grounds or leftover coffee is the bane of ants’ existence. Simply place the grounds or leftover coffee near their nests, and they’ll be gone in no time.
Coffee Repellent
16 Salt Repellent
Using salt is one of the simplest and cheapest ways to get rid of ants. Simply sprinkle salt along windowsills, doorways, or any areas where ants pass through to prevent their intrusion.
Salt Repellent
17 Flour Repellent
Keep ants at bay by simply sprinkling flour in areas you don’t want them to invade. The flour will confuse the ants and deter them from crossing over.
Flour Repellent
18 Tips for Keeping Food Safe from Ants
Store Food in Airtight Containers
For perishable foods that need to be stored, use airtight containers with lids to keep them in the fridge or at room temperature, safe from ants.
It’s a good idea to divide food into smaller portions and store them in smaller containers. This way, you won’t have to open a large container multiple times, reducing the risk of food spoilage.
Airtight Food Storage
Keep Your Dining Area Clean
Maintaining a clean kitchen and dining area is one of the most effective ways to keep ants away. Avoid leaving food crumbs on the table, wipe down surfaces regularly, and dispose of garbage daily to prevent ants from making your home their haven.
Keep Your Dining Area Clean
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16 Easy and Secure Ways to Prevent Ants from Entering Your Home
Recently, unwelcome visitors have been infiltrating your home – ants. These uninvited guests have left your family feeling uncomfortable and wanting them out as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, this often leads to using toxic chemical sprays or insecticides, which create unpleasant odors and can put your health at risk. Rather than resorting to harmful chemicals, why not try these 16 simple and safe tips to prevent ants from invading your home?