I have an ant problem!
Once you spot one, you know there’s a whole parade somewhere ready to march across your counter.
And, you know what? I spotted one the other day. Luckily the cat “caught it.”
I know that grabbing a chemical killer from a hardware store is tempting, but it’s not the safest thing if you have kids or pets around.
That’s why I like using natural fixes around my twins and cat with any bug like gnats!
They’re better for your family and they don’t smell like a science lab!
I have one go-to I use every year to keep critters out of my home, but there are tons of natural ideas that work too.
Give them a try and see which one works for you!
Get Rid of Ants with White Vinegar
Yup, that’s it!
All I use is white vinegar to keep ants away.
Just mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle (use a 1:1 ratio).
Shake it up, then spray it directly on ant trails, around entry points, baseboards, windowsills, and anywhere else you’ve seen them wander around.
Vinegar messes with the scent trails ants leave behind, which is basically how they tell all their little friends were the buffet is.
When you erase that invisible map, they get confused and usually head off to find an easier snack somewhere else.
It’s safe for pets and kids, and it’s not a bad way to keep other bugs from getting comfortable in your home!
As part of my spring cleaning, I make it a habit to spray with white vinegar after I’ve done a good scrub.
Because I learned over the years that the best way to get rid of ants is to be proactive and discourage them from showing up in the first place.
Super easy, right?
More Natural Ant Repellant Ideas
Again vinegar is my solid go-to, but every home (and ant problem) is a little different.
Some ants are more stubborn and some pop up in places where spraying isn’t ideal.
And sometimes you just want your house to smell like something other than vinegar.
That’s where these other natural tricks come in handy!
These give you a few different ways to tackle the problem, so you’re not stuck relying on just one method.
Try a couple and see what works best for you:
Cinnamon Barrier
Sprinkle ground cinnamon along windowsills, baseboards, or anywhere you see ants coming in.
The strong smell disrupts their scent trails, and most ants won’t cross it.
Bonus: your house smells like cookies!
Lemon Juice Spray
Mix equal parts lemon juice and water in a spray bottle and spritz entry points.
The acid masks scent trails and makes surfaces less appealing.
It’s great for kitchens and smells way fresher than vinegar.
Coffee Grounds
Used coffee grounds can be sprinkled outside around doorways or near anthills.
Ants hate the texture and the smell, and it’s a nice way to reuse your morning brew waste.
Just don’t use it indoors unless you want a gritty mess.
Peppermint Oil Spray
Add 10–15 drops of peppermint essential oil to a spray bottle filled with water.
Shake and spray where ants hang out.
It smells amazing to us, but ants find it overwhelming and steer clear.
(Just keep in mind that essential oils can be harmful to pets.)
Cucumber Peels
Leave cucumber peels near known entry points.
For some reason, ants can’t stand them, especially bitter ones.
It’s not the longest-lasting fix, but it works great in a pinch.
Diatomaceous Earth (Food Grade Only!)
Sprinkle a thin line of food-grade diatomaceous earth along ant paths or entry points.
It’s a fine powder that scratches their exoskeletons and dries them out, but it’s totally safe for humans and pets.
Just be sure it stays dry to work well.
Natural and Safe Ant Killer
Sometimes you need more than a deterrant and something that will actually get rid of the ants who have made it inside.
If you’re looking to eradicate them for good, soapy water is a safe and natural way to do it.
I’ve tried this, and it really works wonders!
All I did was filled a spray bottle with warm water and a few drops of dish soap (any scent will do!) then gave it a little shake.
Then I sprayed it directly on any ants I saw crawling around.
The soap will break down their protective coating and eliminate them almost instantly.
It’s safe for kids, pets, countertops, and you can wipe it up after!
And it leaves your house looking cleaner than when you started, so that’s a win.
Keep Ants Out Without Chemicals
You don’t need heavy-duty sprays or mystery ingredients to deal with an ant problem.
Just a few simple tools from your kitchen and a little know-how!
You can wipe out a trail with vinegar, set out a safer trap, or give your baseboards a cinnamon dusting.
Natural fixes can absolutely get the job done.
The key is consistency and finding the method that works best for your space.
Try a couple, rotate if needed, and keep those tiny invaders guessing.
