Ants can be a nuisance when they invade your home or garden looking for food. While chemical pesticides may seem like an easy solution, they can be toxic to pets, children, and the environment. A safer option is to use natural ant deterrents that you can easily sprinkle around your house and yard. Many common household ingredients make ants turn around and march the other way without harming your family or the planet.
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Use Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is one of the most effective and environmentally friendly options for ant control. DE is a chalky, naturally occurring powder made up of fossilized algae. It is completely non-toxic to humans and pets, but acts as a desiccant against ants and other insects. When ants come into contact with diatomaceous earth, it absorbs the oily lipid layer on their exoskeleton causing them to dehydrate and die. DE is also abrasive and damages their joints and membranes.
To use DE as an ant deterrent, simply sprinkle a fine layer along ant trails and around potential entry points like window sills and doorways. Reapply after it rains or every few weeks for continued protection. Wear a mask while applying to avoid breathing in the dust. Food or medical grade DE makes a safe option around food handling areas.
Pros of Diatomaceous Earth
- Natural and non-toxic
- Safe for people and pets
- Kills ants on contact
- Low cost and widely available
Cons of Diatomaceous Earth
- Must be reapplied regularly
- Can be messy
- Breathing dust may irritate lungs
Use Chili Pepper
Chili peppers contain capsaicin which serves as a protective irritant against mammals. Ants strongly dislike this compound and will avoid areas where chili pepper has been sprinkled. Cayenne pepper in particular packs a powerful punch against ants. Simply mix cayenne pepper with water to create a spray or sprinkle it straight onto problem areas. Reapply after rain or irrigation.
Be careful not to breathe in the chili powder as it may cause coughing and irritation. Avoid skin and eye contact by wearing gloves and eye protection. Never apply chili peppers directly onto plants, as it may damage leaves. Chili pepper spray can be used to safely deter ants from potted plants and trees.
Pros of Chili Pepper
- Natural ant repellent
- Low cost
- Easy application
- Works quickly
Cons of Chili Pepper
- Must be reapplied frequently
- Can stain surfaces
- May irritate skin, eyes, nose if inhaled
Use Citrus Oil
The strong citrus scent of lemon, orange, grapefruit, lime and other citrus oils are unpleasant to ants. Citrus oil disrupts the scent trails that ants use to navigate back to the nest. Dabbing cotton balls in citrus oils and placing them along ant trails or around entry points creates an ant deterrent zone. You can also mix 15-30 drops of citrus essential oil per cup of water in a spray bottle and use on problem areas. The oils provide a fresh, clean scent that repels ants without harming people or pets. Reapply every few days for ongoing protection.
Pros of Citrus Oil
- Natural and non-toxic
- Provides a fresh, clean scent
- Repeated application
- Low cost
Cons of Citrus Oil
- Evaporates quickly requiring reapplication
- May stain porous surfaces
Use Coffee Grounds
Used coffee grounds scattered under pots, around garden beds and along sidewalks create an unpleasant barrier that ants don’t like crossing. The gritty, abrasive texture irritates their tiny feet. Coffee grounds also contain caffeine, which acts as an insect repellent. Simply save used grounds from your morning brew and sprinkle them wherever ants are a problem. Their fragrance fades quickly, so reapply every few days. Avoid using coffee grounds directly on plants, as the acidity may damage their roots.
Pros of Used Coffee Grounds
- Natural and non-toxic
- Reuses waste product
- Provides a temporary ant barrier
- Easy application
Cons of Used Coffee Grounds
- Must be reapplied frequently
- Can stain light surfaces
- May alter soil pH if applied to garden beds
Use Cornmeal
An old folk remedy for battling ants is sprinkling cornmeal, corn grits or corn flour in their trails and entry points. While it’s not clear why ants avoid cornmeal, it may absorb oils on their bodies, damage their feet or scratch their joints. The tiny granules are like walking across broken glass under a microscope! Whatever the reason, cornmeal makes an inexpensive, non-toxic sprinkle to repel ants. For best results, use a very fine grind cornmeal and reapply after watering or rainfall since moisture dissolves cornmeal’s efficacy.
Pros of Cornmeal
- Natural and non-toxic
- Very low cost
- Simple application
- Temporary ant deterrent
Cons of Cornmeal
- Must be reapplied frequently
- Effectiveness not scientifically proven
- Can attract other pests like mice
Use Boric Acid
Boric acid powder is one of the most effective and economical ant killers available. It works slowly when ants ingest it, damaging their digestive system. Since ants clean themselves, boric acid is carried back to the nest where it takes out the entire colony, including the queen. Boric acid also damages their exoskeleton when in contact. Place boric acid along ant trails, around nests and anywhere they enter the house. It remains effective after rain or irrigation. While boric acid is toxic to ants, it has very low toxicity to mammals, pets and plants when used properly. Still, keep it completely away from foods and surfaces used for food preparation.
Pros of Boric Acid
- Cheap and widely available
- Long-lasting control
- Kills the whole colony when carried back to nest
- Low toxicity to humans and pets
Cons of Boric Acid
- Toxic if ingested in large quantities
- Can be harmful if gets in eyes
- Must be kept away from foods and food prep areas
Use Chalk
Drawing a line of chalk across ant trails provides a simple technique to keep them out of your home. Chalk is made of calcium carbonate, which absorbs oils from ants’ bodies as they cross over it, leaving them dehydrated and confused. The powdery texture also sticks to their legs, antennae and bodies, deterring their movements. Chalk lines will blow away outdoors, but can be effective at windows, doorways and other indoor entry points. It’s easy enough to simply redraw lines as needed. Colored chalk is toxic, so stick to plain white chalk for insect control.
Pros of Chalk
- Non-toxic and safe
- Inexpensive and readily available
- Easy to apply on surfaces
- Temporary ant barrier
Cons of Chalk
- Has to be reapplied frequently
- Can create dust
- Blows away outdoors
Use Cinnamon
Cinnamon powder is an effective DIY home remedy to get rid of ants. Its spicy scent confuses their scent trails, while the fine particles wreak havoc on their tiny feet and joints. Place cinnamon sticks or sprinkle ground cinnamon along walkways, windowsills, ant trails and anywhere else ants are a problem. Cinnamon is safe to use around kids and pets, and has a pleasant aroma. However, ants become desensitized if exposed to cinnamon for too long, so it’s most effective when rotated with other natural ant deterrents. Reapply cinnamon after it gets wet.
Pros of Cinnamon
- Natural and non-toxic
- Available in most homes
- Provides a fresh, spicy scent
- Can be used indoors and outdoors
Cons of Cinnamon
- May stain light surfaces
- Has limited effectiveness over time
- Must be reapplied regularly
Use Salt
Salt is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs water. This makes it effective for dehydrating ants and disrupting the trails they follow by absorbing oils and moisture from their feet and antennae. Plain table salt, sea salt, or Epsom salts can be sprinkled anywhere ants are undesirable. Salt is non-toxic to humans and pets at the amounts used for ant control. Avoid direct contact with plants however, as salt can damage roots and leaves. Reapply salt after heavy rain or watering. Ants may eventually cross over light salt barriers, so use it in conjunction with other deterrents.
Pros of Salt
- Non-toxic and typically on hand
- Absorbent properties
- Can be used indoors and outdoors
- Inexpensive
Cons of Salt
- Must be reapplied frequently
- May damage plants if overused
- Can corrode metal
Use Borax
Borax (sodium tetraborate) kills ants in two ways: it damages their digestive system when ingested, and dehydrates their exoskeleton on contact. Since borax acts slowly, ants have time to bring it back to the nest which eliminates the entire colony, including queens. The key is to mix it with something sweet so worker ants are attracted to the bait and transport it back home. Combine one tablespoon borax and one tablespoon sugar with two cups water, or substitute honey or syrup for the sugar. Place droplets of the solution on pieces of cardboard near ant trails and entry points.
Use borax bait with caution by keeping it away from foods, countertops, plants and anywhere pets or children access. Never sprinkle borax powder alone, as the sweet bait tricks ants into eating it. Reapply borax solution as needed, or opt for other natural ant deterrents for general, pesticide-free prevention.
Pros of Borax
- Cheap and readily available
- Eliminates whole ant colonies
- Long lasting
Cons of Borax
- Toxic if ingested by pets or children
- Must be kept away from food and food prep areas
- Kills beneficial insects too if applied improperly
Use Ant Traps
Ant traps provide convenient, mess-free ant control by luring worker ants into a bait station with food inside. Traps disguise the active ingredient so ants transport the bait back to feed the rest of the colony. Look for traps containing borax, an insecticidal dust that damages ants’ digestive system. Opt for traps with secured bait compartments that keep pesticides contained and away from children and pets. Position several traps along active ant trails and near nests or entry points. Replace bait cartridges every few weeks until ant activity stops. Then do spot checks with new traps to catch any new colonies that may move in.
Pros of Ant Traps
- Pre-filled and easy to use
- Keeps bait contained
- Kills the whole colony
- Allows proper bait placement
Cons of Ant Traps
- Some contain toxic pesticides
- Must keep away from food areas
- May not deter all ants
Use Talcum or Baby Powder
Talcum powder and baby powder contain talc or cornstarch that dries out ants’ waxy outer layer causing dehydration and death. The fine particles also make it hard for ants to move and breathe when sprinkled generously around nests, entry points and trails. Avoid scented or perfumed powders to prevent attracting more pests. And keep powders away from pets and small children to prevent accidental inhalation. Reapply frequently outdoors or after cleaning indoors since powders easily blow away or get wiped up. Respirators are recommended to avoid breathing in talc particles during application.
Pros of Talcum/Baby Powder
- Often already in homes with children
- Non-toxic at proper use rates
- Dehydrates ants’ exoskeleton
Cons of Talcum/Baby Powder
- Frequent reapplication required
- Can be messy
- Breathing powder may cause lung irritation
Conclusion
When ant invasions threaten your home, look no further than your kitchen pantry or garden shed for chemical-free solutions. Plentiful natural ingredients like diatomaceous earth, chili pepper, citrus oil, coffee grounds and others provide easy, affordable ways to sprinkle, spray or dust ants into submission without harming your family or pets. Used strategically and rotated frequently, these non-toxic household staples offer safe seasonal or long term control of pesky ants marching two-by-two.