5 Best Non-Toxic DIY Ant Repellants Found at Home

This article lists the top 5 non-toxic DIY ant repellents that can be made right at home.

Ants have been found in homes, and many people across the nation are experiencing the same problem, particularly during the spring. These do-it-yourself techniques were compiled by Treehugger correspondent Kimi Harris after she sought out some advice.

Some of these tactics act as deterrents, preventing ants from entering the home. For those with minor issues, this appears to be effective. Some people discovered they required something more powerful.

There are ways, according to Harris, to make a house less enticing to ants. These include storing all food in airtight containers and thoroughly wiping surfaces, doing the dishes right away, maintaining a clean environment, and daily wiping and rinsing of pet food bowls. Additionally, it is a good idea to check indoor plants for ants; if any are found, get rid of them immediately. In the ground, there may be ant nests. Another smart move is to make an effort to cover the base of the plants with citrus peels.

Here are 5 of the best and non-toxic DIY ant repellants that can be found right at home:

1. Lemon Juice

When the scent trail of ants is covered by lemon juice, it stops them in their tracks. Spraying a mixture of one part lemon juice added to three parts water around window sills, door frames, and other potential entry points is one way to use lemon juice as an anti-ant deterrent.

2. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a powerful DIY insect repellent because when ants inhale it, they can suffocate and die. The more potent the cinnamon oil, the better. Due to how simple it is to clean up, most people use this. Also, adding some cloves to it gives the house a pleasant scent.

3. Peppermint

Peppermint is another scent that works well as an ant repellent. Use peppermint essential oil as a deterrent by mixing 20 drops with 2 cups of water and spraying it around door thresholds and window sills. One of Harris' interviewees claims that Dr. Bronner's liquid soap and some water can work wonders in the absence of essential oils. According to a 2014 study published in the journal BioOne Complete, peppermint is so repulsive that even fire ants sometimes just abandon their anthill.

4. Boiling Water

Anytime ant hills are popping up or gaining volume around the house, another go-to method is to use boiling water and dish soap. Ants will immediately enter overgrown anthills when boiling water is poured inside of them. If there are too many, it is advised to pour boiling water into every hole that can be seen.

5. Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds are said to work best when placed close to the ants' entrance. However, they lose their effectiveness when they become dry, Treehugger reports.

According to Pests Banned, ants are very sensitive to smells, so the aroma and presence of coffee can easily confuse them. This is fantastic news because it means that you won't need to use insect repellents that contain dangerous chemicals that are bad for the environment.