Natural Ways to Get Rid of Ants

As soon as the weather warms in early spring, the ants come marching in! Here are some natural ways to fight them.

Vinegar

Put some distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle and spray the entrance points and along the trail. Respray as needed.

Essential Oils

Ants are known to dislike eucalyptus, cinnamon, clove, peppermint, and citrus oils. Put about 10 drops of cinnamon essential oil and water into a small squirt bottle and spray entrance points and along trails. I had to reapply a few more times after it dried. A ratio of 50/50 eucalyptus oil and water works well.

Herbs/Spices

If you don't have essential oils, you can sprinkle powdered cinnamon, clove, garlic, cayenne pepper, black pepper, salt, mint or bay leaves at entrance points. 

Soapy water

This is Brie at DIY Life's favorite way to get rid of ants. Fill a spray bottle with 2 tablespoons dish soap and 1/2 cup water. It kills ants and destroys the pheromone trail. It only works when wet, so you'll need to reapply for a few days. I also use soapy water spray on my garden plants to kill aphids and other little crawly things that like to dine in my garden.

Alcohol

In a spray bottle, add 1 part rubbing alcohol or tequila to 1 part water. Spray at entrance points or trails. Reapply for a few days. 

Chalk

It is reported that ants won't cross chalk lines. Draw lines with chalk at their entrance points or to block their trails. Amanda at Easy Peasy Organic had good results with this method. I've not tried it yet, but I plan to. 

Baby Powder

Sprinkle baby powder at entrance points or to block their trails. They won't walk across it.

Citrus or Cucumber Peels

They are toxic to the kind of fungi ants feed on. Leave peels at entrance points. Replace every other day. Or puree peels in a blender, add water, and smear at entrance points or along trails. Haven't tried this one either.

Lemon Juice

Dab lemon juice at entrance points or areas they visit.

Coffee Grounds

Ants don't like the smell of coffee. Sprinkle used coffee grounds around the perimeter of your house or at entrance points.

Baking Soda & Powdered Sugar

The powdered sugar will attract ants and the baking soda will kill them when they eat it. Mix together 1 part baking soda and 1 part powdered sugar. Leave where you see ants. 

Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth

It’s an all-natural dust made from tiny fossilized water plants. It is lethal to insects because of its microscopic razor sharp edges. You can sprinkle it around the perimeter of your house and it will kill bugs that touch it. It won't harm warm-blooded animals, birds, or earthworms. I use diatomaceous earth in my garden as well - slugs are no longer a problem there!