Before you buy expensive ant sprays or baits, try some natural ant-killer remedies. These DIY recipes are easy to make, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly.
This article will show several homemade ant killer recipes using citrus oils, borax, sugar, black pepper, baking soda, etc.
Here’s how to naturally kill ants:
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 all-natural pesticides for ants, as they kill, not just repel.
Mix rubbing alcohol, orange oil, clove oil, citronella oil, and cinnamon essential oil with half a cup of water in a spray bottle. Start with 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 another excellent home remedy for ants. It is a natural irritant that ants despise [1].
When mixed with water, black pepper is effective in exterminating ants.
Combine two tablespoons of freshly ground black pepper with one cup of water to make a simple pepper spray.
Mix well and strain. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray anywhere ants congregate or march along.
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 is made of equal parts white vinegar and water.
Mix one cup of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. The vinegar will kill the ants and leave a strong scent that deters other 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 a poison for these pests.
Therefore, mix two tablespoons of creamy peanut butter and ½ teaspoon of boric acid powder.
Stir well to combine the peanut butter and boric acid thoroughly. 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.
Mix nine parts cornmeal and one part boric acid powder. The boric acid is poisonous to the ants, but the cornmeal attracts 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, so it mixes with the water.
Spray the solution directly on the critters as well as on their trails.
8. Borax and Sugar Trap
Another killer recipe is borax and sugar.
Mix two tablespoons of borax, half a cup of sugar, and 2 cups of warm water. Pour some of this borax-sugar mixture into a jar and place it around the problem areas.
This combo makes a simple homemade ant trap. The sugar attracts the ants, while the borax will kill them.
9. Baking Soda and Sugar
Baking soda and sugar make a simple ant bait 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, even the queen.
10. Hydrogen Peroxide, Mouthwash, and Dish Soap
Several bloggers have had success using hydrogen peroxide, mouthwash, and Dawn dish soap to deal with ants.
Here’s what they suggest:
Mix the same amount of hydrogen peroxide and mouthwash in a spray bottle with a little dish soap. Do not add water.
Next, shake well and use it to spray 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 colony.
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 couple of 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 get rid of those 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.
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