Ants are tenacious and quick to figure out a home’s entry points like window sills. They’re also social creatures that can form an ant colony (the home of ants) pretty much anywhere. If you start seeing an ant invasion in your home they’ve probably set a colony nearby. Most ants live outdoors, but carpenter ants can set up shop inside wooden beams. Ants are a bother but usually harmless unless you’re dealing with fire ants that can bite and sting you. Many commercial ant killers and ant repellents carry harsh chemicals that can be harmful to your health. There are many different natural ways to prevent ant infestations from occurring within your home. One of those ways is by using essential oils. Top MC Blends Picks Best Essential Oils on How To Get Rid Of Ants Naturally
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts from different parts of plants, trees, flowers, and even fruit. Because many oils are also antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal, they make good natural disinfectant choices. Many oils also contain active compounds that can help with multiple insect issues:
They can help heal bug bites. They can repel fleas and other insects like ticks and mosquitos.
The Best Essential Oils To Repel Ants
Once an ant enters your home, it leaves a pheromone scent trail so other ants can follow. The following essential oils are known to help mask the scent trails while also repelling ants.
Peppermint oil
Peppermint essential oil is very fragrant thanks to its main component menthol. A few drops peppermint can go a long way in repelling ants. MC Top Pick
Tea tree oil
Its strong scent can be found in several natural insect repellent products. Tea tree can also be used as a strong disinfectant for your kitchen and home. MC Top Pick
Cedarwood oil
This oil is known to not only repel ants but also prevent future infestations. Cedarwood is known to be effective with fire ants too. MC Top Pick
Grapefruit oil, Orange oil, or Lemon oil
Citrus fruit rinds are often used to deter insects and ants from setting up in house plants. The essential oil is made from the rinds, and a little goes a long way. MC Top Picks
Clove oil
Clove essential oil is known to not only interfere with pheromone scent trails; it can also kill ants. MC Top Pick
Other Natural Options & Hacks For Ant Control
White vinegar Ants can smell vinegar, and they’re repelled by it. Vinegar can also kill ants, so double whammy. Mix equal parts water and white vinegar and place it in a spray bottle. Spray wherever you see an ant trail or a point of entry. Eliminate scent trails with hand or dish soap Use water and soap to clean counters, baseboards, floors, and anywhere you think ants can leave their pheromone trails. Non-toxic ant traps with powdered sugar and baking soda: Ants are attracted to sugar, honey, and starches. You can use a mix of powdered sugar and baking soda to lure them and kill them. They’ll take the white powder back to their colony, and the baking soda will interact with the acids in their bodies and cause them to explode. Do this long enough, and you may just be able to wipe out the entire colony. Diatomaceous earth This is a white powder that’s toxic to insects and bugs but not toxic to humans. It dries out the insect’s bodies and can be sprinkled around baseboards and other entry points. Cut off food sources Since ants are attracted to sugar, honey, and starchy foods, it’s good to remove such foods from countertops and remove crumbs from crevices and the floor. Cayenne pepper Ants don’t like the scent of black and cayenne pepper, so you can use it to repel them by sprinkling behind appliances and counters. Other uncommon and messy ways to deal with ants:
Brewed coffee grounds Cornmeal Boiling water Borax
A DIY Spray Repellent For Pest Control & Ant Problems
Keep this ant spray handy for whenever you might need it. You’ll need a spray bottle and the following:
300 ml distilled water 300 ml white vinegar One teaspoon dish soap 15 drops of peppermint oil 15 drops tea tree oil 15 drops cedarwood oil 15 drops lemon oil
Mix all ingredients together and place them in the spray bottle. Spray as needed. You can also soak a cotton ball with this solution and place it in entry points, in the garbage, by the dog’s bowl, and behind appliances.
