Ants can be a real nuisance, and getting rid of them can seem impossible. But while plenty of commercial products on the market help control ant infestations, you can also use natural remedies instead.

Natural remedies may not provide a quick fix, but they are much less hassle than store-bought options, and in the long run, they may even be more effective. Whether you have a minor ant problem or a significant invasion, these simple solutions will help you eliminate them once and for all.

Lemon Juice

Mix lemon juice with water and spray it around the areas where ants enter your home. Ants do not like the smell of lemon and will avoid the area. Lemon juice is acidic and can kill the ants on contact. Also, it has a strong scent that repels them.

Vinegar

Mix equal parts vinegar and water and spray it around the areas where ants enter your home. Like lemon juice, vinegar has a strong smell that ants do not like. The acetic acid in vinegar is known to be toxic to ants, disrupting their sense of smell and communication, making it difficult for them to locate food and navigate.

Peppermint Oil

Mint, particularly peppermint, is a natural insect repellent. The strong scent of peppermint can help repel ants and other insects, such as mosquitoes, flies and even spiders. Planting mint around your home’s perimeter can help create a barrier that will make it difficult for ants to enter.

You can also use peppermint essential oil as a natural remedy to control ants. A few drops of peppermint oil on a cotton ball can be placed in areas where ants frequent, such as cabinets or near entryways. The strong scent of peppermint will repel the ants and make it difficult for them to navigate. Additionally, wiping suspected areas with a peppermint oil-soaked cotton ball can help eliminate any scent trails the ants have left behind.

Borax

Mix borax with sugar and place it in areas where ants are entering your home. The ants will be attracted to the sugar and take the borax back to their colony, killing the ants. Borax is toxic to ants, but it can take some time to take effect, and it’s best used as bait.

Chalk

Draw a line around the areas where ants enter your home with chalk. Ants will not cross the chalk line, as they believe it to be a barrier. This is due to the calcium carbonate in the chalk, which is a natural barrier for ants.

Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth

Food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE) is an effective natural remedy for controlling ants. DE is made from the fossilized remains of marine phytoplankton. It has microscopic razor-sharp edges that can cut through the exoskeleton of insects, causing their bodies to dry out. It can be a very effective method for controlling ants, gradually killing them without using chemicals.

To use DE as an ant repellent, gently sprinkle a thin layer of the powder on windowsills, beneath the fridge, under cabinets, in and around garbage cans, and in any other places where you see ants. Repeat this process once daily until all the ants are gone.

Controlling ants can be difficult and frustrating, but with the help of natural remedies, this process can become much more straightforward. Natural remedies are not only effective in controlling ants, but they are also cost-effective, hassle-free and safe for both humans and animals. With the right combination of natural ingredients, you can quickly rid your home of these annoying pests and keep them away for good.