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Natural Ant Repellents

Keep ants from returning with these repellents.

Cucumbers

Place cucumber slices near entry points in your home. Ants are repelled by the smell.

Chalk

Draw a chalk line where you don’t want ants to cross. The ants dislike having the chalk on their feet and will not walk over the line. If you’re using this trick on the floor, you will have to reapply often, as your own feet may scuff the line, making it less effective.

Bay Leaves

Ants dislike bay leaves in all forms. Crumble dried bay leaves around the home to discourage ants from coming in. Plant bay laurel around the home outside to discourage ants from coming near.

Mint

Mint is another repellent that you can use in many forms. Mix mint essential oils with water and spray around entry points to stop ants from coming in. Plant mint in windowsills or around the garden to keep ants away. Mint is best grown in containers because it’s an invasive species that will spread quickly. In addition to ants, mint also repels mosquitoes, spiders, fleas, flies, and moths.

Cornmeal

Ants dislike cornmeal, so you can use it to keep them away by sprinkling it in troublesome parts of the home. You can also sprinkle cornmeal outside in areas where you don’t want ants, such as the base of a hummingbird feeder.

Water Moats

Ants can’t cross moats filled with water, so you can use this trick to keep them away from particular food sources that you leave out, such as pet food. Place your pet food bowl on top of a shallow dish filled with water. The ants won’t be able to cross the water to get to the food. You can also hang a moat over your hummingbird feeder to keep ants from crawling down the hook and onto the feeder.

Coffee Grounds

Ants dislike the scent of coffee grounds. They won’t cross this barrier when they find it sprinkled across entry points. You can also use coffee grounds to keep ants away from flower beds or other parts of the property.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a powerful natural ant repellent in all forms. You can set cinnamon sticks out in the kitchen to discourage ants from seeking food here. Cinnamon essential oil mixed with water or vodka makes a natural ant repellent spray. Ground cinnamon across an ant trail will stop the ants in their tracks. As an added bonus, these tricks can give your home a wonderful aroma if you enjoy cinnamon.

Soap and Essential Oils

For an all-over ant repellent, make your own floor cleaner. Mix a gallon of hot water with two tablespoons of liquid castile soap, 15 drops of peppermint essential oil, and five drops of tea tree essential oil. Mop the floors with this concoction.

Lemon

Ants dislike anything lemon-scented. You can use actual lemons to deter them from your home or mix lemon juice with water to make a cleanser that keeps ants away.

Natural Ways to Get Rid of Ants’ Trails

Using certain substances on ant trails confuses them and will send ants back outside if they’re coming into your home from an outdoor nest.

• Sprinkle baby powder across the ants’ trail.
• Mix a cup of water, a cup of vinegar, and 5-10 drops of tea tree oil in a spray bottle and apply to ant trails.
• Combine equal parts water and apple cider vinegar and spray on ant trails.

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