Last week, I dug through my ancient Ayurvedic books to find Ant-Killer Home Remedies.
It’s not only frustrating to have ants around the house, but it’s pretty unhygienic too. They can spoil your food, and damage your house and if you have kids then ant bites can be dangerous for them too.
Ants carry bacteria that can contaminate your food and may spread diseases. Thus, it is important to take care of the ants before they make you sick or take your peace away. Read on to discover 5 amazing natural ant-killer home remedies that can help you tackle the ant problem.
Also Read: Parad Goli: Myths and Facts About the Ayurvedic Pest Control Tablet
6 Amazing Ant-Killer Home Remedies
Mint
Peppermint is a natural insect repellent. Planting mint around your home can work as a natural ant killer. You can also use peppermint essential oil as a natural remedy to control ants. Placing peppermint oil-infused cotton balls in your cabinets can work as an insect repellent.
Review: I like the non-toxic peppermint spray. The scent is strong but pleasant. Peppermint is able to keep the ants away but they can come back in a few days. So, you have to use it repeatedly. One thing you must note is that this oil is expensive. Planting a few peppermint leaves may be a better and cheaper solution.
Vinegar
Vinegar is another effective remedy for controlling ants in your home. The ants drown in vinegar and die. You can wipe up the ants using a damp towel or tissue. The smell of vinegar will keep ants away from your house permanently.
You can mix 50% vinegar and 50% water in a spray bottle and spray it directly on the ants. You can also mix peppermint essential oil into it. This paste is also effective when you use it to mop the floor by mixing vinegar in water. This will keep the ants away from your home.
Review: I often use vinegar in my kitchen tabletop to clean the area and it has successfully kept ants away from the area. I also tried using vinegar in other areas around the house. Drowning the ants in vinegar would kill them, but if you use it sparingly then it’s not that effective.
Cinnamon
The scent of cinnamon can suffocate the ants and make them die. It is a natural and non-toxic ant killer that’s easily available in your home. Cinnamon contains a compound known as trans-cinnamaldehyde which acts as an ant-killer.
You can use ground cinnamon and sprinkle it on the ant’s path. The cinnamon essential oil also works great as an ant-repellent. Mix a few drops of cinnamon essential oil with water and spray it on the ant trails.
Review: I tried placing cinnamon bars around the areas where you see ant is not that effective and then I used cinnamon essential oil which worked well. I mixed 20 drops of cinnamon essential oil with ½ cup water and sprayed it around the areas where ants visited frequently. It worked great.
Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth
Food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE) is an excellent ant-repellent. Diatomaceous earth powder is the fossilized remains of marine phytoplankton. They have microscopic razor-sharp edges that can cut through the ants’ exoskeletons. Gently sprinkle a thin layer of DE around the house where you see ants.
While using DE make sure to wear a mask to avoid accidental inhalation. Also, wear gloves to minimize contact with hands. Though DE is not harmful to humans it’s best to avoid contact.
Review: My home was invaded by ants last April. Diatomaceous earth (DE) works well. I sprinkled food-grade DE around the house. It isn’t an instant kill but the results are visible in a week or so.
Borax
Borax is a mineral that’s lethal to ants. It is toxic in nature and interferes with their digestive system. Make a paste of borax, sugar, and water. Put this mixture near the ant moulds or where you see the ants. The sugar will entice the ants and the borax will kill them.
Review: I often use borax powder around my house during the monsoons to keep it pest-free. It works great as an insect repellent including ants.
Essential oils
Spraying essential oil around your house can work as an effective ant-killer. You can use peppermint, tea tree, neem, and cinnamon oil as a natural insect repellent. You can mix 10-20 drops of these essential oils in two cups of water and spray it around your house. This is also effective against other insects and mosquitoes.
Lemon eucalyptus oil is also a natural bug repellent. Soak a cotton ball with undiluted oil and place it in areas where you see ants. You can change it in a few days to keep ants away.
Review: A few days ago I ordered a pack of essential oils from Amazon. After reading about the use of essential oil to kill ants, I tried it out. The results were effective and I continue this simple home remedy to keep my home safe.
Ant-Killer Home Remedies- Your takeaway!
Ants are present everywhere, but keeping them away from your home is essential. They not only increase your risks against diseases, but ant bites can also result in itchiness, redness, and other allergies. Try these simple home remedies and keep your safe abode safe!
