Tired of ants marching through your home and yard, but don’t want to pollute your living spaces with chemicals to get rid of them? Natural solutions, such as coffee grounds, diatomaceous Earth, peppermint oil, and citrus peels, can send them packing.
These natural methods work by breaking up ant scent trails, making your home less inviting to ants, and eliminating them safely. They’re not only practical but also better for your family, pets, and garden.
We’ll show you how to employ the best natural ant deterrents and provide expert tips to keep ants away for good. Not one for DIY pest control.
Food-based ant repellents
Certain foods and food scraps can act as natural ant repellents, discouraging these tiny pests from hanging out in your yard or entering your space.
Coffee grounds
The intense smell of used coffee grounds confuses ants’ sense of direction and communication, disrupting their behavior. The caffeine in coffee also affects their nervous systems, making them less likely to return to treated areas.
Sprinkle grounds around entry points or areas where ants are active. For best results, reapply fresh grounds after rain or heavy watering.
Citrus peels
Ants hate the smell of citrus, and the natural oils in the peels can help deter them. Place lemon, orange, or grapefruit peels in areas where ants tend to gather.
You can also blend peels with water to create a spray that works as a natural ant repellent for countertops and entryways. The limonene in citrus is toxic to ants, as it breaks down their exoskeletons upon contact.
Cucumber peels
Cucumbers contain compounds that ants find repulsive. Simply leave fresh cucumber peels in problem areas to drive them away. Bitter cucumbers are the most effective since they contain more cucurbitacin, the natural compound that ants avoid.
For an extra boost, blend cucumber peels with a little vinegar and apply the mixture wherever needed.
Read more: How to Get Rid of Fire Ants in Your Yard
Mineral-based ant deterrents
If you prefer a non-toxic yet effective way to stop ants in their tracks, minerals can be your best friend.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a fine, dust-like powder made from crushed fossilized algae. As ants walk through it, they become dehydrated and die.
To get the most out of DE, you have to apply it correctly, says Earlene Millier, a University of California Master Gardener.
“DE must be dry, and it must be applied in a wide but thin layer. Pests will avoid DE if they can, so the best application makes it impossible for them to avoid. Use a bulb duster, a plastic condiment dispenser bottle, or a dry, empty plastic squeeze bottle.” Dispense it along baseboards, windowsills, garden pathways, or anywhere ants are a nuisance.
Always go with food-grade diatomaceous earth, as the industrial kind can harm you or your pets. If you’re using it outdoors, reapply after rain or heavy watering.
Borax and sugar mixture
A classic DIY ant killer, this mixture attracts ants with sugar, but the borax disrupts their digestive system, slowly poisoning them. Combine equal parts borax and sugar, dissolve it in water, then soak some cotton balls in the mixture and place them along ant trails.
If you’re using dry borax and sugar, place small amounts in bottle caps or jar lids to keep them contained. Keep pets or children out of the area, as borax can make them sick if ingested.
Chalk
Chalk lines around your doorways or windows can confuse ants, making it difficult for them to navigate. The calcium carbonate in chalk interferes with their ability to follow pheromone trails, effectively keeping them out of your home. Plus, ants find chalk abrasive and unpleasant to walk on, so they stay away.
The only drawback to chalk is that it can be easily wiped away or washed off, so you’ll need to reapply it frequently.
Read more about how to get rid of invasive lawn creatures in our guides:
Plant-based ant repellents
Plants produce essential oils that naturally repel insects, including ants.
Peppermint oil
Peppermint oil is great for keeping ants out, and it’s a natural, non-toxic alternative to chemical products. The strong, minty smell confuses the ants and messes with their ability to communicate and find their way.
To use it effectively, add 10 to 15 drops to a spray bottle of water. Shake well and spray along entry points, baseboards, and any cracks where ants might be entering. You can make a bigger batch to keep on hand so the peppermint scent stays fresh.
My grandparents once had an ant problem inside their home, so I decided to help. I learned that peppermint oil repels ants, but I went a little overboard and soaked their baseboards in it. The house smelled like a candy shop, and I got a bit lightheaded from all the minty fumes.
But the ants? They left. Guess they got lightheaded, too.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil has a strong, sharp scent that overwhelms the pheromone trails ants use to navigate, just like coffee grounds. The powerful smell acts as a natural repellent, disorienting the ants and making it hard for them to follow or lay new trails. Besides, it forms a barrier that ants would prefer to avoid.
Combine 5 drops of tea tree oil with a cup of water, then spray the mixture around areas such as under the sink, near trash cans, and in corners. For an even stronger barrier, consider pairing tea tree oil with peppermint oil or vinegar.
Alternatively, place tea tree oil-soaked cotton balls in drawers or closets to keep ants at bay.
Cloves
Cloves naturally repel ants thanks to eugenol, the key compound that disrupts scent trails and prevents ant nesting. Basically, eugenol is a mild insecticide.
Place whole cloves in trouble spots, such as pantry shelves or windowsills, or crush them for a stronger effect. This releases more of their potent oils into the air.
Unlike chemical sprays, cloves are a safe alternative, especially around kids or pets. Plus, they’ll leave your home smelling spicy and cozy.
Read more: Pros and Cons of Ants in Your Yard
Herb ant repellents
You can use certain herbs as natural ant repellents by placing them in key spots around your home or garden.
Bay leaves
Bay leaves are a simple, natural, aromatic way to keep ants out of your home. Their strong scent masks ant trails, making it harder for the pests to navigate your space. Plus, bay leaves are non-toxic and safe to use around pets and children.
Just place whole leaves in cabinets, pantries, or anywhere you’ve seen ants. Since the scent wears off with time, swap them out every few weeks for continued protection.
Tansy
Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is a hardy herb that naturally repels ants, thanks to the toxic compound thujone. Besides keeping ants away, Tansy can brighten up your garden with its cheerful yellow flowers.
Plant it near doorways, windows, or foundation cracks to stop ants from entering your home. Alternatively, crush the leaves to release their potent oils and scatter them in areas where ants are active.
| Expert tip: The knowledgeable folks at the North Carolina Extension Service say to handle Tansy with care. Ingesting it or being around it for too long can cause convulsions or even death. Plus, it’s considered a noxious weed in states like Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, Wyoming, and Washington, so ask your local Extension office about it before planting. |
Read more: How to Get Rid of Yellow Jackets in Your Yard
Boiling water
There’s not an animal alive that enjoys being scalded by boiling water, and ants are no exception.
Pour boiling water directly onto the mounds, and the heat will kill the ants. It might even take out the queen, making it a good option for large infestations or when other home remedies for ants aren’t helping. To kick it up a notch, add dish soap to the water.
Pour the water slowly to ensure it reaches deep into the nest. You might need to do it a couple of times to completely eliminate the colony.
Use boiling water carefully around gardens or fragile surfaces. The heat can damage grass or plants. Always wear gloves to protect your skin from splashes and burns.
Read more: Integrated Pest Management for the Lawn
Biological controls
Nature has its own way of keeping ant populations in check without the need for chemicals.
Beneficial nematodes
Beneficial nematodes are microorganisms that dwell in the soil and act as natural ant traps. They enter ants’ bodies and release bacteria that kill them from within. Plus, they’re safe for plants, pets, and pollinators.
To use beneficial nematodes, mix them with water and apply them to the soil, especially around ant nests or where you see a lot of activity. You can use a watering can, hose-end sprayer, or pump sprayer for the job.
Since nematodes need moisture to survive, apply them when the soil is damp. Lightly water the top ½ inch of your lawn beforehand (5 to 10 minutes should suffice), or wait until after it rains. When you’re done, water the area again to help them enter the soil and locate the ants.
Fungi
Fungi like Beauveria bassiana infect ants on contact. They latch onto the ants’ exoskeletons, penetrate their bodies, and kill through infection. These spores spread easily, making them great for tackling large infestations.
Spray them directly on ant trails, nests, or areas with heavy ant activity. Monitor how the ants react and reapply as needed.
To protect the spores, apply them in cooler weather and keep them out of direct sunlight. Just like with nematodes, the soil should be damp to help the spores stick to the ants and the surrounding area.
Read more: How to Keep Pests Out of Your Compost Pile
Natural barriers
Creating barriers with natural substances can keep ants from invading your home or garden.
Cinnamon
Ants hate the smell of cinnamon. The scent interferes with their pheromone trails, which they rely on to get around.
Cinnamon also has antifungal properties, which can help prevent mold in areas like the kitchen or pantry, where moisture is common.
Simply sprinkle powdered cinnamon along windowsills, doorways, baseboards, and other entry points where you normally see ants. You can also place some cinnamon sticks in these areas or mix cinnamon essential oil with water for an easy spray.
Salt
Salt is easy to use and won’t break your budget. It creates a physical barrier that ants won’t cross. On contact, it dehydrates them, disrupting their ability to navigate, and damages their exoskeletons.
For the barrier, use fine salt to form a smooth, continuous line. Place it along your windowsills, doorways, cracks, or other areas where ants might try to enter. Check the salt regularly and reapply it after rain or cleaning. Moisture breaks it down and weakens it.
| My tip: Avoid using too much salt outdoors because you risk damaging your soil, grass, and plants. One time, I accidentally spilled an entire salt shaker on one of my deck plants as I was setting the table for a barbecue. I cleaned up what I could, but it was too late — the plant just didn’t do well after that. I had to repot it with fresh soil and nurse it back to health over the next few weeks. |
Read more: How to Repair Salt Damage on Your Lawn
FAQ about natural ways to get rid of ants in your yard and home
Ants are always on the lookout for food, water, and shelter. If your yard has sugary spills, crumbs from outdoor meals, or aphids (which produce honeydew – an ant favorite), you’re basically inviting them over.
Moisture is another big draw. This includes leaky sprinklers, standing water, or damp soil.
When it rains, ants get flooded out of their underground homes, so they head for drier ground (often your house). They sneak in through tiny cracks and gaps, looking for shelter and an easy meal. If you notice more ants indoors after a downpour, they’re likely just trying to escape the soggy mess outside.
Ants are super active in the warmer months, usually spring and summer. As the heat kicks in, they venture out looking for food and new places to settle. Once cooler weather sets in, they either go dormant or move deeper underground to stay warm.
Definitely. In fact, this usually works better than relying on just one technique. Indoors, you can block entry points with cinnamon, use a vinegar spray to erase scent trails, and scatter coffee grounds or citrus peels to make key areas smell unpleasant.
For an outdoor infestation, beneficial nematodes or diatomaceous earth can help tackle the problem from multiple angles. The key is consistency; stick with it, and the ants will get the message.
When natural methods aren’t enough
Natural methods don’t always work. If your ant problem is getting out of hand, it could be time to try chemical pesticides. Lawn Love can connect you with a local pest control pro who can tackle the problem for you. Plus, if your lawn suffered damage, our lawn care experts can help restore your yard.
Sources:
- “Tanacetum Vulgare.” The North Carolina Extension.
- “Diatomaceous Earth for Pest Control.” By Earlene Millier, UC master gardener. The University of California.
Main Photo Credit: Unsplash
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