Ant invasions are the bane of homeowners. They can devastate plants and take over kitchens. Even when one room is cleaned up, desperate ants can show up in the strangest places to start another invasion of a home. Poisons and chemicals are effective, but dangerous in the kitchen, a favorite ant hideout, and around children and pets. Fortunately, there are a number of natural ways to keep ants out of the home.
Strong Scented Herbs
Herbs with strong scents in fresh, dried, or essential oil form can repel insects in general and ants specifically. Spray essential oils over an ant trail or sprinkle some dried herbs near the hole the ants are using as an entrance to block them and throw them off the trail they are following. Sprinkling herbs in the bottom of cabinets can keep ants from exploring at all. Try any of the following herbs as an ant repellent:
- Bay leaves
- Basil
- Oregano
- Sage
- Rosemary
- Cloves
- Cinnamon
- Peppermint
Just remember to replace the herbs after you clean to keep them repelling ants.
If you are using essential oils, mix a few drops with water and spray. Peppermint is an especially effective essential oil to use as ants hate it and will even avoid the growing plant. However, check the bottle carefully as some essential oils have chemicals in them from the extraction process. These chemicals can be dangerous to your pets or children if concentrated.
Spice it Up
In place of dried herbs, try pepper powders. Anything from black pepper to chili powder can work to repel ants from your home. Sprinkle a line across the path, or make a paste with a bit of water and use it to block up whatever entrance the ants are using. The spice will disrupt the trail and drive the ants off.
Vinegar Cleans and Repels
Vinegar can work wonders with ants. Whether used straight or mixed fifty/fifty with water, vinegar can wipe out ant trails. Spray window sills, doorways, cupboards, floors, walls, and even outside. Vinegar is no risk to children or pets, so it can be used in bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens with impunity. Both white vinegar and apple cider vinegar can be effective. If there are more ants, apply more, as many times a day as needed.
No natural or organic repellent option is going to be as immediately effective as poisons and chemical repellents. However, natural repellents can be applied repeatedly without putting anyone at risk for illness and poisoning. It may take a little longer to drive the ants out of the house, but it is worth it to be better to the environment and the people who have to live in the house.
Heather Coman - Heather Coman is a freelance writer and professional engineer. She has a bachelors in engineering and a minor in English from University ...
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