How To Keep Ants Away Naturally: 42 Proven Effective Tips

Dealing with an ant invasion can be incredibly frustrating, especially for those of us who want to avoid using harsh chemicals in our homes.

The most effective ways to keep ants away naturally include using essential oils, keeping your home clean, sealing entry points, and employing natural barriers like mint and diatomaceous earth.

Unfortunately, some other so-called natural remedies are little more than urban myths that don't actually work.

This article explores a range of scientifically proven eco-friendly strategies to combat ant infestations and prevent them in the first place.

Which Essential Oils Repel Ants Effectively?

Essential oils such as clove, cinnamon, and citronella are scientifically proven to be an effective natural method of repelling ants from your home.

Other oils, such as eucalyptus and tea tree, are frequently recommended by less reputable sources, but have proven to be less effective in tests.

Top Performing Essential Oils

Based on scientific research, here are the most effective essential oils for repelling ants.

1. Clove Oil: Research shows 88% effectiveness against ants, nearly matching commercial repellents (97% effectiveness). Clove oil contains eugenol, which disrupts ants' nervous systems and interferes with their ability to follow scent trails (Patel & Aglave, 2017).
2. Cinnamon Oil: Demonstrated excellent 95% effectiveness in controlled studies. In one experiment, when ants were given a choice between cinnamon oil and no treatment, only 17.5% approached the cinnamon oil (de Pedro & Sanchez, 2022). The cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon oil is highly disruptive to ant pheromone trails.
3. Citronella Oil: Studies show 70% of ants avoid citronella oil when given a choice. Its strong scent masks ant trails and disrupts their navigation (de Pedro & Sanchez, 2022).
4. Peppermint Oil: Achieved 56% effectiveness in field tests. The menthol in peppermint oil overwhelms ants' sense of smell and blocks their ability to communicate (Patel & Aglave, 2017).
5. Turmeric Oil: Research from the University of Mississippi found that turmeric oil effectively repels fire ants, with compounds that are toxic to them.

If you don't have any of these available but want to try them, you can buy them cheaply on Amazon.

Less Effective Options

Despite being recommended in some other online sources, the scientific studies showed the following essential oils to be less effective at repelling household ant species.

• Lemon Oil: Despite lemon juice being effective, lemon oil extracted from peels showed limited effectiveness (25 to 50%) in controlled studies (Ambati & Duvvuri, 2019).
• Eucalyptol / Eucalyptus Oil: Only showed about 52.5% repellency in initial testing, which wasn't statistically significant compared to controls. Researchers dropped it from further testing due to poor performance (de Pedro & Sanchez, 2022).
• Tea Tree Oil: Despite its popularity, it performed poorly in scientific tests, with only 9% efficacy across multiple trials (Patel & Aglave, 2017).

Most Powerful Combinations

Mixing cinnamon oil with lemon juice creates an even stronger repellent than either used alone.

The study found this combination worked synergistically - meaning the total effect was greater than the sum of their individual effects (Ambati & Duvvuri, 2019).

How They Work

Essential oils work by doing the following.

• Disrupting the scent trails ants use to navigate
• Overwhelming their sensitive smell receptors
• Interfering with their ability to communicate with each other
• Creating barriers that ants are unwilling to cross

The research clearly shows that natural essential oils, particularly clove oil, cinnamon oil, and citronella oil, offer effective alternatives to chemical ant repellents.

How to Use Essential Oils As a Natural Ant Repellent

You can use essential oils to create a natural solution and apply it using either a spray bottle or cotton balls.

How to Create a Barrier Spray

Research shows concentrated essential oils effectively create barriers ants won't cross.

How to make:

1. Mix 15-20 drops of essential oil with 1 cup of water
2. Add 1-2 teaspoons of dish soap (helps oil mix with water)
3. Pour into a spray bottle and shake well

How to use:

1. Spray along entry points, windowsills, and door frames
2. Apply to visible ant trails
3. Reapply every 2-3 days as the repellent effect diminishes over time

How to Apply Using Cotton Balls

The Small Plot Experimental Study (Patel & Aglave, 2017) demonstrated effectiveness using cotton balls soaked in essential oils.

How to use:

1. Soak cotton balls in a solution of water and essential oil (10-15 drops per cotton ball)
2. Place them near entry points, along trails, or in cabinets
3. Replace every 2-3 days for continued effectiveness

Important Tips from the Research

Follow these tips to get the maximum effect from your natural essential oil-based ant repellent.

• Reapplication is necessary: The studies show effectiveness decreases over time, typically after 2-3 days
• Concentration matters: Higher concentrations (3 to 5%) showed better results than lower ones in controlled tests
• Target ant trails: Most effective when applied directly to trails where ants follow pheromones
• Clean surfaces first: Remove existing pheromone trails by cleaning surfaces with soap and water before applying oils

If you're allergic to essential oils or concerned about the cost, there are other ways to get rid of ants naturally using common ingredients you may already have in your kitchen.

Which Everyday Kitchen Ingredients Keep Ants Away?

Kitchen ingredients such as coffee grounds, cinnamon, and lemon juice are a convenient and budget-friendly way to keep ants out of your home without the need for commercial products.

Here are some common kitchen ingredients proven to keep ants at bay.

Coffee Grounds

Research by Harlan et al. found coffee grounds to be remarkably effective against harvester ants, with a nearly 100% success rate in preventing ants from crossing barriers (Harlan et al., 2022).

• How it works: The strong smell disrupts ants' scent trails and may contain compounds that trigger avoidance behavior.
• Application: Sprinkle used coffee grounds around entry points, garden plants, and along ant trails. Coffee grounds work best when dry, so replace them after rain.
• Added benefit: Coffee grounds are also good for plants and add nitrogen to garden soil when used outdoors.

Cinnamon

Multiple studies have confirmed cinnamon's strong ant-repelling properties, making it one of the most reliable kitchen deterrents (Vu et al., 2022; Harlan et al., 2022).

• How it works: It contains compounds that interfere with ants' sensory perception.
• Application: Sprinkle ground cinnamon at entry points, or make a solution with water to spray along baseboards and windowsills.
• Pro tip: Cinnamon sticks can be placed in cabinets and pantries to deter ants while providing a pleasant aroma.

Lemon Juice

Ambati & Duvvuri's research demonstrated lemon juice's high potency as an ant repellent, with their studies showing it was more potent than many other natural substances tested (Ambati & Duvvuri, 2019).

• How it works: It contains citric acid and natural compounds that ants find irritating.
• Application: Wipe surfaces with lemon juice or spray diluted lemon juice around entry points and problem areas.
• Maintenance: Requires regular reapplication as the scent fades.

Vinegar

Vinegar is an effective way to kill ants (with a 100% mortality rate), and is also effective as a preventive measure (Harlan et al., 2022).

• How it works: The acetic acid destroys scent trails and repels ants due to its strong smell.
• Application: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Wipe down counters and spray along baseboards and around doors and windows.
• Caution: Avoid using on stone surfaces like marble or granite, as the acid can cause damage.

Black Pepper

Though showing mixed results across studies, black pepper remains a popular deterrent for specific ant species (Harlan et al., 2022).

• How it works: It contains piperine, which creates an irritating barrier for certain ants.
• Application: Sprinkle ground black pepper around entry points, window sills, and specific problem areas.

Turmeric

Turmeric is particularly effective against carpenter ants (Vu et al., 2022).

• How it works: Contains curcumin, which appears to act as a natural deterrent.
• Application: Sprinkle the powder around entry points or mix it with water to create a paste for cracks and crevices.
• Note: Tumeric may stain light-colored surfaces.

Combining Ingredients for Enhanced Effectiveness

Research by Ambati & Duvvuri indicates that combining compatible ingredients can create synergistic effects (Ambati & Duvvuri, 2019):

• Coffee grounds + cinnamon: Create a powerful barrier around entry points
• Lemon juice + vinegar solution: Effective for cleaning surfaces while deterring ants
• Turmeric + black pepper: Traditional combination that may enhance repellent properties

Application Strategy

For best results, identify ant entry points and consistently apply these natural deterrents while maintaining a clean kitchen environment.

Reapply regularly, particularly after cleaning or rainfall for outdoor applications.

There may be times when you're unable to regularly reapply your natural ant repellent, perhaps because you have a very busy schedule or are going to be away from home for a prolonged period.

In these circumstances, it may be better to use a natural barrier that will prevent ants from entering your home in the first place.

Natural Barriers to Prevent Ants Entering Your Home

An ant barrier is a physical or chemical boundary that prevents ants from crossing or entering a protected area. Use these natural barriers around your home to prevent ants from getting inside in the first place.

Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a naturally occurring sedimentary rock composed of fossilized remains of diatoms that creates a highly effective ant barrier.

• How it works: The microscopic sharp edges damage ants' exoskeletons, while its absorbent nature dehydrates them, causing them to dehydrate and die.
• Application: Apply a thin, continuous line around entry points, foundations, windowsills, and doorways. Ensure the barrier is unbroken.
• Maintenance: Reapply after rain or cleaning, as DE loses effectiveness when wet.

Make sure you only buy food-grade DE for indoor applications and wear a mask during application to avoid inhaling the fine dust.

Chalk Lines

Chalk is a traditional remedy that has been used for generations to create barriers against ants.

• How it works: The calcium carbonate in chalk disrupts ants' ability to follow scent trails and creates a line they're reluctant to cross.
• Application: Draw unbroken lines with chalk around doors, windows, and other entry points where ants are entering.
• Maintenance: Requires frequent reapplication, as the lines can be easily disturbed or worn away.
• Pro tip: For longer-lasting barriers, use powdered chalk rather than stick chalk.

Talcum Powder/Baby Powder

Similar in function to diatomaceous earth but less abrasive, talcum powder creates an effective barrier.

• How it works: Fine particles interfere with ants' navigation and may cause respiratory distress in insects.
• Application: Create a continuous barrier at entry points by sprinkling a thin line of the powder.
• Maintenance: Reapply after cleaning or if the barrier is disrupted.
• Caution: Use only pure talc varieties, not those containing cornstarch, which may actually attract ants.

Food-Grade Boric Acid

Boric acid is a naturally occurring mineral that creates an effective barrier with both repellent and insecticidal properties.

• How it works: It works as both a stomach poison when ingested and damages ants' exoskeletons through contact.
• Application: Apply thin lines in areas where ants enter but pets and children cannot access.
• Effectiveness: Acts as both a barrier and a toxicant for ant colonies.
• Caution: While considered a natural mineral, boric acid should still be used with care, as it can be harmful if ingested in large quantities.

Salt Barriers

Common table salt can create a simple yet effective ant barrier.

• How it works: It creates a dehydrating barrier that ants prefer to avoid.
• Application: Pour a continuous line of table salt along entry points and areas where ants are frequently seen.
• Limitation: Easily disturbed and dissolves when exposed to moisture.
• Best use: Works better as a supplementary rather than a primary barrier and is particularly effective in dry areas.

Orange Peels/Citrus Rinds

The peels of citrus fruits contain natural compounds that many types of ant species avoid.

• How it works: Contains d-limonene and other citrus oils that disrupt ant pheromone trails and act as a sensory deterrent.
• Application: Place dried orange peels or rub fresh peels along windowsills, door thresholds, and cracks where ants enter.
• Maintenance: Replace peels when they dry out and lose their strong scent.
• Effectiveness: Varies by ant species, with some being more sensitive to citrus than others.

Application Strategy

For maximum effectiveness with any natural barrier:

1. Identify entryways by observing ant trails
2. Apply barriers continuously without gaps
3. Use multiple barriers for enhanced protection
4. Check regularly that barriers are still intact and unbroken

The above methods (essential oils, kitchen repellents, and natural barriers) become even more effective when you combine them with preventative practices that remove the factors that attract ants into your home in the first place.

Preventative Practices for Ant Control

To stop more ants from entering your home and prevent future infestations, it is important to keep a clean home and permanently seal cracks and gaps that pests can get through.

Keep Your Home Clean

Keeping your home clean is the simplest and one of the most effective pest management methods. These steps will remove the factors that attract pests into your home.

1. Clean Regularly: Consistently clean floors, countertops, and kitchen surfaces to remove crumbs and spills that can attract ants.
2. Store Food Properly: Insects are attracted to food sources, so store your food in airtight containers, particularly sugar, cereal, and pet food.
3. Remove Waste: Dispose of garbage regularly and ensure trash cans are sealed tightly. Clean trash bins often to prevent odor buildup.
4. Maintain Outdoor Areas: Trim vegetation and maintain a clear perimeter around the house to reduce ant harborage close to the home. Ensure garden hoses and sprinkler systems do not create damp environments near the foundation.
5. Control Moisture: Fix leaky pipes, faucets, and any other sources of moisture that can attract ants looking for water.
6. Change Your Pet Feeding Habits: Clean up pet food immediately after feeding and store any remaining food in sealed containers.
7. Perform Regular Inspections: Check for signs of ant activity, such as trails or small piles of soil, and address issues promptly.

These steps will stop ants from wanting to get in. Next, you need to seal the points through which they can get in.

Seal Entry Points (Also Saves Energy)

Pests can fit through the tiniest of gaps, so sealing entry points requires a systematic approach. Here are the steps you should take.

1. Identify Entry Points: Inspect the exterior and interior of your home for small cracks, gaps, or holes where ants might enter. Check around windows, doors, utility entry points, and in cellars and basements.
2. Clean the Area: Before sealing, make sure the area is clean and dry. Remove any debris, dirt, or old sealant that might prevent a new seal from adhering properly.
3. Choose the Right Sealant: Use appropriate materials for sealing. For small cracks and gaps, silicone caulk or acrylic latex caulk works well. For larger gaps, consider expanding foam sealant or weatherstripping.
4. Apply Caulking: Use a caulking gun to apply a continuous bead of caulk along the cracks and gaps. Smooth it with a damp finger or caulking tool for a tight seal.
5. Install Weatherstripping: For gaps around doors and windows, apply weatherstripping to ensure a tight seal. This helps block ants and improves energy efficiency.
6. Fix or Replace Window Screens: Repair any tears or holes in window screens and ensure they fit tightly in the window frame.
7. Address Gaps Around Utilities: Use expanding foam or caulk to seal gaps around pipes, cables, and other utilities that penetrate the walls.
8. Inspect Regularly: Periodically revisit these areas to ensure seals remain intact and haven’t worn away or cracked over time.

If you have followed all the recommendations so far and still have issues, you may need to use an ant bait strategy to eliminate the entire colony.

Eco-Friendly Ant Bait Strategies

Ant baits target the entire colony rather than just visible foraging ants. Use them if you are trying to kill the ants rather than just remove them from your home.

Baits work by exploiting ants' natural behavior of carrying food back to share, which means you can reach the queen and larvae. This method requires minimal application points compared to creating continuous barriers, is generally less messy and odor-free than repellents.

You won't need to find every possible entry point, and you're more likely to achieve longer-lasting results as they address the source of the infestation rather than just redirecting ant traffic elsewhere.

Borax Sugar Solution

One of the most effective eco-friendly ant bait options uses common household borax.

• How it works: Ants carry the sweet solution back to the colony, where borax disrupts the digestive systems of ants that consume it.
• Application: Mix 1 part borax with 3 parts sugar and dissolve in warm water. Place in shallow containers near ant trails.
• Eco-benefit: Targets only the problem ant colony with minimal impact on non-target organisms.
• Caution: While safer than commercial pesticides, keep away from children and pets.

Baking Soda + Powdered Sugar Ant Bait

Baking soda mixed with powdered sugar creates a simple, accessible DIY ant bait using ingredients most households already have on hand.

• How it works: Ants are attracted to the powdered sugar and carry the mixture back to their colony. When ingested, the baking soda reacts with the acidic substances in ants' digestive systems, producing gas that they cannot expel, leading to internal damage.
• Application: Mix equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar and place small amounts near ant trails or entry points on flat surfaces or in shallow containers.
• Eco-benefit: Uses food-grade, biodegradable ingredients that are safe around children and pets, though ingestion should still be avoided.
• Effectiveness: While less potent than borax-based baits, this mixture can reduce ant populations when consistently applied.

If you decide you don't want to kill ants, just keep them away from your house, there are further steps you can take outdoors that will naturally deter them.

Outdoor Natural Ant Deterrents

Factors such as your garden borders, choice of plants, and keeping a well-maintained backyard all help control the paths that ants are more likely to take.

Using a combination of these factors is an effective method of making sure that ants stay in the garden and don't choose to go near your house.

Garden Borders

Ants will usually take the easiest route, so use borders to corral them in the direction you want them to go.

• Physical Barriers: Create garden borders using materials like stones or gravel. These materials can make it more difficult for ants to traverse, especially when combined with natural repellents.
• Moat-Style Borders: For raised garden beds, consider creating a shallow water-filled trench around them. Ants are less likely to cross water, acting as a natural barrier.
• Mulch and Bark Chips: Using certain types of mulch, such as cedar mulch, is an effective way to line garden borders. Its scent is a deterrent, and it creates a dry environment that ants avoid.

Plant-Based Barriers

• Mint: Planting peppermint or spearmint around your garden can act as a natural barrier due to its strong scent, which confuses and deters ants. Mint can spread quickly, so contain it in pots if necessary.
• Lavender: Known for its pleasing smell to humans, lavender plants repel ants with their strong scent. Plant them along pathways and borders to discourage ants.
• Marigolds: These flowers release a scent that repels ants and other garden pests. They can be planted throughout garden beds as a protective measure.
• Garlic and Onions: Both emit strong odors that ants find unpleasant. Planting them among your vegetables or garden borders can act as a deterrent.
• Tansy and Pennyroyal: These lesser-known herbs produce essential oils with potent scents deterring ants. Tansy, in particular, can be planted near doorways or open windows to discourage entry.

Yard and Patio Maintenance

A well-maintained patio and backyard will lead to a reduction of all types of pests and insects, including ants. The following practices all help.

• Debris Removal: Regularly clear away fallen leaves and branches to prevent damp habitats.
• Soil Management: Ensure proper drainage to prevent overly moist soil that attracts ants.
• Mulch Selection: Opt for gravel or other inorganic mulch options near your home's foundation.
• Vegetation Control: Trim plants that make contact with patios or siding to reduce access paths for ants.

That concludes the list of effective natural methods of ant control. Using one or a combination of these methods will be enough to solve your ant problem in the vast majority of cases.

What to Do When Natural Methods Aren’t Enough

If you've followed all of the tips so far and the problem persists, you may have a larger problem that is beyond the scope of natural methods. Check for telltale signs, and if necessary, call in professional exterminators

How to Check for Signs of a Larger Infestation

When natural methods aren't sufficient, signs of a larger ant infestation may become apparent. Here are some indicators to watch for.

1. Visible Ant Trails: Large, persistent trails of ants moving in and out of your home suggest a significant infestation.
2. Nests or Mounds: Discovering nests or ant mounds around your property indicates a well-established colony nearby.
3. Frequent Indoor Sightings: Regularly seeing large numbers of ants inside, particularly in kitchens or food storage areas, is a strong sign.
4. Structural Damage: Finding damage to wood structures, such as hollow-sounding wood or sawdust piles, can indicate carpenter ants.
5. Noise from Walls: Rustling sounds within walls may suggest ants bustling through your walls or inside the structural frame.
6. Winged Ants: Spotting swarmers or winged ants, especially indoors, might indicate that the colony is mature and reproducing.
7. Unusual Odors: Certain ant species emit strong, unpleasant odors when their colonies are disturbed, which can signal infestation.

These signs suggest that professional pest control intervention may be necessary to address the problem effectively.

Green Pest Control Alternatives

When addressing larger ant infestations with a focus on eco-friendly solutions, consider these additional options.

• Eco-Certified Exterminators: Hire pest control professionals who are certified in eco-friendly practices and use environmentally responsible methods to manage infestations without harsh chemicals.
• Low-Impact Botanical Pesticides: Use pesticides derived from plant-based ingredients, such as pyrethrins extracted from chrysanthemums, that are designed to target pests with minimal harm to the environment and non-target species.

These methods offer effective pest control while adhering to environmentally sustainable principles.

References:

Ambati, M., & Duvvuri, K. (2019). Repulsion of ants using non-toxic household products. Journal of Emerging Investigators, 2, 1-5.

Harlan, J. C., Conner, M., Dinh, K., Stevens, C., Marx, B., Salinas, F., & Macias, A. (2022). An Analysis of Household Products as Ant Repellents. Edited by Raul Segura.

Vu, J., Mitra, H., Hardy, J. S., & Chauhan, N. (2022). Ants and Spices: The Potential of Spices to Repel Pest Ants (Formicidae). REYES Proceedings, Summer 2022, 1-6.

Patel, S. N., & Aglave, B. (2017). Small Plot Experimental Study for Testing Efficacy of ant Repelling Activity of Essential Oils. International Journal of Biotechnology and Biochemistry, 13(4), 403-412.

de Pedro, L., & Sanchez, J. A. (2022). Natural Repellents as a Method of Preventing Ant Damage to Microirrigation Systems. PubMed PMID: 35447837.

University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy's National Center for Natural Products Research.