Indoor Ant Repellent

Indoor ant repellent can be used to discourage ants from entering your home and bugging your family. Giant indoor ant infestations have become a common problem in the United States over the past several years. Outdoor ants will make their way into your house by using anything from windows, or doors to even plumbing pipes. Some species of ants can actually follow scent trails of pheromones left by other ants in order to find new nesting grounds and food sources. If a colony of ants finds its way into your home, then you may want to try some of the following natural ant repellent strategies.

Indoor Ant Repellent

Here are some of the best ways to kill and repel ants naturally using ingredients found in the home or at a local store.

1. Diatomaceous earth (silicon dioxide)

Diatomaceous earth is a type of silica made of fossilized remains of aquatic organisms called diatoms (a type of plankton).

Diatomaceous earth isn’t a poison. It kills ants and other bugs by absorbing the oils in their skeletons, which dries them out. But since it’s an irritant, avoid breathing in diatomaceous earth or getting it on your skin.

You can purchase food-grade diatomaceous earth online. To use it to kill ants, follow package directions, or sprinkle the powder anywhere you see ants.

2. Glass cleaner and liquid detergent

Ants leave a scented pheromone trail behind when they walk, which acts as a map. This method can remove the scent and deter the ants from reentering your home.

Here is how to do it:

1. Mix glass cleaning spray with liquid detergent (dish soap) into a clean spray bottle.
2. Spray the mixture on areas where ants seem to enter from or congregate around.
3. After spraying, wipe down the area leaving a light residue.
4. Repeat the above steps as often as needed.

Note: If you do not have glass cleaner available, using soapy water of any kind (i.e., hand soap, dish detergent) likely removes the scent of ant pheromones.

3. Ground black or red pepper

Black or red (cayenne) pepper is a natural ant deterrent, as the insects appear to find the smell irritating.

To use this method, sprinkle pepper around baseboards and behind appliances. Anecdotal evidence suggests that this is a safe way to help keep ants at bay.

4. Peppermint

Peppermint is a natural insect repellent that may effectively deter ants and other bugs, such as mosquitoes.

To use peppermint essential oil as an ant deterrent, complete the following steps:

1. Mix 10 to 20 drops peppermint essential oil with 2 cups water in a clean plastic spray bottle.
2. Spray the mixture around the baseboards and windows of your home.
3. Allow the mixture to dry and repeat as needed.

Like most essential oils, keep peppermint oil out of reach of pets, especially cats, which can become very ill if exposed.

You may be able to find peppermint essential oil at your local grocery chain or health food store.

5. Tea tree oil

Like peppermint oil, tea tree oil can be an effective ant deterrent. To use this method, complete the following steps:

• Mix 5 to 10 drops tea tree essential oil with 2 cups water in a clean plastic spray bottle.
• Spray the mixture around the house where you typically see ants. Alternatively, you can saturate cotton balls with the mixture and place them around your home.

Note: If the scent is too strong, try making a mixture of tea tree oil, peppermint oil, and water.

Like most essential oils, keep tea tree oil out of reach of pets.

You can purchase tea tree oil at your local grocery store, health food store, or online.

6. Lemon eucalyptus oil

Oil extracted from the lemon eucalyptus tree is another natural insect repellent. It contains citronella, used in candles to repel mosquitoes and other flying bugs. Anecdotal evidence indicates it may also be effective at repelling ants.

To use, complete the following steps:

1. Saturate cotton balls with the undiluted lemon eucalyptus essential oil.
2. Place the cotton balls in areas where you usually see ants in the home.
3. Replace the cotton balls weekly with freshly saturated cotton balls.

Note: Do not ingest lemon eucalyptus oil. Keep it out of reach of children and pets.

You can likely find lemon eucalyptus oil at your local health food store. It’s also available online.

7. Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)

Despite their similar names, the oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) is different from lemon eucalyptus essential oil. OLE comes from the gum eucalyptus tree, which is native to Australia. It contains a chemical called p- Menthane-3,8-diol (PMD), which is an effective insect repellent.

PMD is classified as a biopesticide by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is considered safe to use.

You can find OLE at your local hardware and gardening store or online.

8. White vinegar

White vinegar, available at all grocery stores, is a cheap and effective way to kill and repel ants. It is also a natural cleaning agent.

Try using a 1-to-1 vinegar/water mixture to clean hard surfaces, including floors and countertops, wherever ants are likely to travel. If you see ants, spray the mixture on them or wipe them up with a paper towel.

Ants can smell the vinegar after it dries, but the scent doesn’t remain long for most people.

9. Boiling water

If you notice ant holes near your home, pour boiling water into them. This method will effectively and immediately kill many of the ants inside. Anthills may appear small, but the ant colonies underneath them are vast.

The boiling water won’t be enough to kill off the entire colony. For this reason, make sure to treat every ant hole you see within your home’s proximity.

10. Cornstarch

Cornstarch, available at grocery stores, can be an effective way to smother many ants at one time.

There are two different ways to employ cornstarch to kill ants:

1. The first method is to liberally pour cornstarch over the entire group of ants and add water on top. The result will be many dead ants encased in cornstarch which you can then clean up.
2. The second method is to cover the ants with cornstarch and then vacuum them up, taking care to dispose of the sealed vacuum bag outdoors immediately.

11. Cinnamon leaf essential oil

One 2005 study found that compounds in cinnamon leaf essential oil, including trans-cinnamaldehyde, could be effective at killing and repelling ants, including biting red ants.

1. Saturate cotton balls with the undiluted cinnamon leaf essential oil.
2. Place the cotton balls in areas where you typically see ants in the home.
3. Replace the cotton balls weekly with freshly saturated cotton balls.

Health food stores often carry cinnamon leaf essential oil. You can also find it online.

12. Neem oil

Neem oil is a naturally occurring insecticide extracted from the neem tree, native to India.

Gardeners recommend using neem oil around plants, especially where you see aphids or ants. Ants farm aphids (small sap-sucking insects), so poisoning the aphids with neem oil can take care of both types of pests.

Diluted neem and products containing neem extract have been reported to not work nearly as well as full-strength neem oil.

You can find neem oil at many health food stores or online.

13. Coffee grounds

Indoor Ant Repellent

The question of whether or not ants can be repelled naturally is a common one. The answer is yes, but with some caveats. First, you need to know what kind of ant you’re dealing with, as each type of ant has its own preference for food and water sources. Second, you need to make sure that your home is clean and free of any food or water sources that would attract ants. Finally, if you have pets (especially cats) in your home, you’ll want to be careful about using natural repellents around them since some of these products contain essential oils which can be toxic to cats.

If you’ve got all that covered and still find yourself struggling with indoor ants, here are some effective natural repellents:

Boric acid: This powdery substance can be sprinkled on the ground near ant trails or placed in areas where ants are likely to enter your home (such as under doors). Boric acid kills by dehydrating the insect’s body tissue–it’s a slow death that’s especially effective against fire ants (which can’t survive without moisture). Boric acid also works well against termites when mixed into their food source (e.g., sugar water).

List Of Indoor Ant Repellent