Once ants start marching one by one into your home, they’re particularly tough to get rid of.
It’s tempting to kill them with whatever weapon you have lying around, but unfortunately, the pheromones they leave in their trail mean their friends won’t be far behind. It doesn’t really solve the problem.
Here’s how to naturally tackle house ants in your home.
Quick Summary – Natural Ant Control
- Clean: Wipe ant trails with warm water + dish soap to erase scent paths.
- Bait: Mix ½ cup warm water, 2 tbsp borax + ¼ cup icing sugar; place near trails.
- Repel: Spray vinegar + water or use peppermint oil/cinnamon at entry points.
- Prevent: Seal cracks, clean spills, remove food residue to stop return.
Check Electrodry's blog for more DIY cleaning tips.
How to Get Rid of Ants Naturally
What you'll need
- 1 squirt dishwashing detergent
- ½ cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons Borax (Find at Coles for about $4)
- 1/4 cup icing sugar
- cotton buds Bottle lids, or small container lids
- ½ cup white vinegar
- spray bottle
Directions
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Create an equal parts warm water and dishwashing detergent mixture and sponge on the area to remove the pheromone trail.
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It is also important to work out where the ants are coming in. This may mean keeping an eye on doors and windows for a few days to determine the entry point of the ant trail.
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Mix the icing sugar and Borax together, put it into the bottle or container lids and place near trails and entry points.
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Ants will be attracted to the icing sugar, and the mixed-in Borax will eventually eliminate them. An added bonus? The Borax-affected ants will actually take the powder back to the colony, which will eventually eliminate the whole nest.
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We also recommend combining equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle and spraying on door seals, entry points and door seals at least once a day for a few days – the smell will repel ants from coming in.
Ways to Prevent Ants and Remove Them
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Keeping a tidy home is the best way to keep ants at bay. Wipe up spills and crumbs as quickly as you can and remember to seal any sticky or sweet substances in an airtight container.
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Did you know peppermint essential oil can kill ants? Just a couple of drops on a cotton ball or tip will do the trick – keep them where the ants like to hang out.
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Another trick I’ve discovered? Sprinkle some cinnamon on the trail or at entry points. The ants inhale the spice and it suffocates them; they also don’t like the smell and will stay away!
