Ants can be a big nuisance for home and business owners alike. More often than not, people try to control ant problems using home remedies and natural ant repellents first. The issue with most of these solutions is that they aren’t 100% effective and often lead to ants sneaking their way back into your home. Due to this, professional ant control may be required when an infestation goes past the point of no return.
Many of these options use everyday ingredients you likely have at home, and some may help slow ants down or deter them from certain areas, but usually only temporarily. Below, we break down each method, how it works, if it works, and how to use it.
Baking soda can work as a DIY homemade ant killer, but it isn't foolproof. Once ingested, it mixes with acid in an ant's stomach and can dehydrate it from the inside. For this to affect the colony, though, the ant has to carry the mixture back to the nest, and the queen has to eat it too, which doesn't always happen.
How to use it: Mix equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar, then sprinkle the mixture along ant trails or near entry points. The sugar attracts the ants; the baking soda does the rest.
Borax can help control ants, but it takes patience. Like boric acid, it's a slow-acting poison that attacks an ant's digestive system, though it can take several days to work, and only if it's carried back to the colony and reaches the queen.
How to use it: Combine borax with sugar, jelly, or syrup and place it in areas where ants gather, or near mounds outside.
Chalk doesn't really get rid of ants. It's thought that ants avoid crossing a chalk line to protect their scent trail, but this effect is short-lived, and ants soon find another way around it.
How to use it: Draw a chalk line around common entry points, but treat this as a short-term disruption rather than a fix.
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Cinnamon can act as a natural ant deterrent to a degree. A study in the International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications found cinnamon essential oil can repel ants, though it needs a high concentration and precise placement at every entry point, something that's tricky to pinpoint without training.
How to use it: Sprinkle ground cinnamon along ant pathways, or soak a cotton ball in cinnamon oil and water, and wipe it along doors and windows.
Lemon isn't a reliable natural ant deterrent. The idea is that its acidity masks ants' scent trails, but while it may repel them briefly, it has little to no effect in the long run.
How to use it: Mix one part lemon juice with three parts water and spray it around door frames, window sills, and other entry points.
Vinegar only works for a short period. Its aroma is thought to mask ants' scent trails, but once it evaporates, it stops working and won't reach an infestation that's already taken hold.
How to use it: Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 vinegar-and-water solution, spray it directly on ants and hotspots, then wipe the area with a damp cloth.
Diatomaceous earth works as a natural ant killer by dehydrating an ant's exoskeleton on contact, but it doesn't guarantee full removal. Moisture reduces its effectiveness, ants can find alternate routes. While food-grade diatomaceous earth is considered safe for humans and pets, improper use can create respiratory issues
How to use it: Sprinkle a thin layer of food-grade diatomaceous earth where ants are active, avoid breathing in the dust, and reapply after damp weather. For a proper assessment of where activity is coming from, a free pest inspection can help.
Peppermint oil is often marketed as a natural ant repellent, but you'll likely only see temporary relief. Its scent may mask the pheromone trails ants use to navigate, though it won't eliminate the colony, and ants will often find new paths.
How to use it: Mix peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle and apply it around entry points and hotspots, reapplying regularly.
Tea tree oil can act as an ant repellent in some cases, thanks to its antiseptic properties, but it needs a high concentration to have any real effect, and it won't address the colony itself.
How to use it: Mix tea tree oil with water and spray it around entry points such as doors and windows.
Cayenne pepper may disrupt ants' scent trails for a short time, similar to dish soap, but it doesn't eliminate them.
How to use it: Sprinkle cayenne pepper along known ant trails and entry points, and expect to reapply often.
Clove oil contains compounds that can be toxic to ants on contact, but it only deals with the ants you can see, not the wider colony.
How to use it: Apply clove oil directly to ants or trails as you spot them.
Eucalyptus oil's scent may temporarily deter ants, but it won't provide a lasting solution, and colonies often persist despite regular use.
How to use it: Dilute eucalyptus oil with water and spray it around windows, doors, and other common entry points.
The best way to get rid of ants yourself is by using correct prevention techniques. Ant prevention techniques are a great DIY solution as they help make your home less appealing to ants and reduce the potential for an infestation to occur in the first place.
Of course, the most effective solution to get rid of ants is to enlist the help of pest control professionals. Although some DIY ant control solutions and home remedies may give the impression they are working (especially in the short term), they are often ineffective.
Western Exterminator has a range of services and solutions to fully eradicate an ant infestation from your property and can also protect your home and/or business from any future infestations that might occur.
If home remedies for ants fail to deliver lasting results, it may be time to consider professional ant control services. While natural ant repellents can provide temporary relief, they rarely address the root cause of an infestation. Professional-grade bait and traps can prove much more effective.
Professional exterminators like Western Exterminator take a more in-depth approach by identifying ant species, locating nests, and using targeted treatments to ensure long-term ant removal services. With our year-round protection plan, PestFree365, we ensure your home or business remains protected from ants and other common pests.
If you're struggling to get rid of ants, contact Western Exterminator for expert assistance.
No single method works best. Essential oils like peppermint and tea tree oil may deter ants, but they do not eliminate infestations.
Scents like peppermint, eucalyptus, and citrus can repel ants temporarily, but they do not solve an infestation.
A vinegar and water spray can disrupt scent trails quickly, but it does not remove the infestation.
Seal entry points, clean up spills, and store food properly. Natural repellents may help, but professional ant control is the most reliable solution.
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