12 Natural Ant Killer Recipes

Try some natural ant-killer remedies before you buy expensive ant sprays or baits. These recipes are easy to make, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly.

Homemade Recipes to Kill Ants Outside and Inside

Here are DIY ant-killer recipes using common kitchen ingredients.

1. Essential Oil Spray

Essential oils like citronella, cinnamon, orange, patchouli, and clove naturally repel ants.

However, clove, cinnamon, citronella, and orange oil all work as natural pesticides for ants, killing rather than just repelling.

Combine rubbing alcohol, orange oil, clove oil, citronella oil, and cinnamon oil with 1/2 cup of water in a spray bottle. Use 15 drops of each oil and 30 drops of alcohol.

Shake well to combine all ingredients. Your essential oil ant-killer remedy is now ready.

2. Black Pepper Spray

Black pepper is a natural irritant that ants avoid.

When mixed with water, black pepper is effective in exterminating ants.

Combine two tablespoons of freshly ground black pepper with one cup of water in a spray bottle.

Mix well, strain, and pour into a spray bottle. Spray wherever ants are seen.

This DIY spray can also work as an ant deterrent, as the strong smell will keep them at bay.

3. Vinegar and Water

Another simple DIY ant killer spray consists of equal parts white vinegar and water.

Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Vinegar’s scent kills and deters ants.

Shake well to combine. Finally, spray it directly on ants and around areas where you see them entering, such as cracks and crevices in walls.

4. Peanut Butter and Boric Acid

Peanut butter is a natural bait for some ants because its oils and proteins attract them. Boric acid, a white powder, is toxic to these pests.

Therefore, mix two tablespoons of creamy peanut butter and ½ teaspoon of boric acid powder.

Stir well to thoroughly combine the peanut butter and boric acid. Finally, place small amounts on little bait trays (like small pieces of cardboard) where the ants are.

This combo is deadly to grease ants, not to sugar ants.

5. Diatomaceous Earth Spray

This powder can also kill some ants. It also works against many other small, soft-bodied pests.

Just mix four tablespoons of diatomaceous earth with one gallon of water.

This homemade diatomaceous earth spray kills ants. It sticks to them and, when dry, dehydrates them.

6. Cornmeal and Boric Acid

Cornmeal and boric acid combo is a natural ant bait that workers may take back to the colony.

Combine 9 parts cornmeal with 1 part boric acid powder. Cornmeal attracts ants, and boric acid poisons them.

Therefore, place small piles near areas where you see ants.

7. Neem Oil Spray

Neem oil is an organic insecticide that repels and kills many insects, including ants.

It works against fire ants, red ants, leafcutter ants, and black ants. It is also safe in your vegetable garden and other outdoor areas.

Mix 5 ml of pure neem oil with 1 liter of water and 2 ml of liquid soap to make a DIY ant-repellent spray. The soap helps emulsify the oil, allowing it to mix with the water.

Spray the solution directly on the critters and their trails.

8. Borax and Sugar Trap

Another killer recipe is borax and sugar.

Mix 2 tablespoons of borax with 1/2 cup of sugar and 2 cups of warm water. Pour some of this borax-sugar mixture into a jar and place it in the problem areas.

This combo makes a simple homemade ant trap. The sugar attracts the ants, while the borax kills them.

9. Baking Soda and Sugar

Baking soda and sugar make a simple ant bait that you can use around the house.

Mix 1 part baking soda and 1 part confectioners’ sugar. The sugar attracts the ants, while the baking soda is a lethal dose.

Therefore, place small piles of this mixture around areas where you see ants. Worker ants will also carry the bait back to the colony, killing the other ants, including the queen.

10. Hydrogen Peroxide, Mouthwash, and Dish Soap

Many have used hydrogen peroxide, mouthwash, and Dawn dish soap to get rid of ants.

Here’s what the majority suggests:

Mix the same amount of hydrogen peroxide and mouthwash, then add a bit of dish soap to a spray bottle. Do not add water.

Next, shake well and use it to spray for indoor ants.

Just sweep up the dead ants and wipe your floor afterward. This solution will make your floor sticky.

11. Boiling Water

Boiling water is also an effective way to kill ants and destroy their colonies.

Bring a pot or kettle of water to a rolling boil.

Next, carefully pour the hot water over the entrance of the ant hill outside. You can also pour it into any cracks from which the ants are coming.

The boiling water will kill the ants on contact and destroy their colony, including the ant queen and larvae.

However, be extremely cautious when handling and pouring the boiling water, as it can cause severe burns.

When done correctly and carefully, boiling water can permanently eliminate ant colonies in your yard.

12. Soap and Water

One of the simplest ways to get rid of ants organically is to use a solution of organic liquid and water.

Mix a few drops of organic liquid soap into a spray bottle filled with water. Shake well to combine.

Spray the soap solution directly onto the ants and entry points to kill them and eliminate the scent trail. The soapy water will suffocate the ants and wash away their scent so other ants can’t follow.

You may need to reapply a few times, but this cheap, homemade ant spray works and is safe for kids and pets.

This method is also excellent for garden areas where you want to keep ants away.

Takeaway

You now have some easy, natural, and effective ways to eliminate pesky ants invading your home and/or garden.

Before you know it, you’ll have whipped up a homemade spray, trap, or repellent and freed yourself of the annoyance of ants marching one by one.