5 Ways to Get Rid of Ants Effectively and Naturally

I live in an area that seems full of ants in spring and summer months, so I’m always on the look out for new ways to get rid of ants. However, I have kids, so I really don’t want to use pesticides or other chemicals, unless I absolutely have to.

Ants can be super persistent once they are in your home. Sometimes you need to take action quickly to remove them. That’s why I’ve put together a list of effective, natural ways to get rid of ants.

Natural Ways to Get Rid of Ants

Ants. I can’t stand those little things. They get into everything, and they’re super creepy. We have an ant issue every spring.  As soon as the weather warms up, the ants find their way indoors. I can’t stand them. Because they’re so creepy and so invasive, we need ways to get rid of ants that are also safe for the family. This list contains safe and effective methods for getting rid of those pesky invaders.

[tweetthis]Some safe and effective ways to get rid of ants. [/tweetthis]

Keep It Clean

The best way to get rid of ants is to never have them in the first place. To that end, keep your house free of food debris of all sorts. If you have kids, you know why I said house and not kitchen. Kids make messes, and they make them everywhere. So make sure the kitchen and bedrooms are free of any sort of crumbs, left-overs, and sticky messes. All of these will attract six-legged invaders.

[tweetthis]DYK essential oils can help you get rid of ants in your home?[/tweetthis]

Essential Oils

With all the new information floating around the web these days about essential oils, it’s no surprise that they’re an all-natural and effective way to get rid of ants. There are several different types of essential oils that can either repel ants or outright kill them.

• Peppermint Oil: Repels ants and masks their pheromone trails
• Tea Tree Oil: Repels ants and masks their pheromone trails
• Clove Oil: Disrupts pheromone trails and kills ants outright
• Lemon or Orange Oil: Repels ants and masks their pheromone trails

The simplest way to use these oils to get rid of ants is to soak a cotton ball with the essential oil of your choice and rub it along any place that you see ants coming into your home or any crack near where you’ve seen ants.

Diatomaceous Earth

If you haven’t heard of it, don’t worry. Lots of people haven’t. Diatomaceous earth is made of the fossilized remains of marine phytoplankton. It works by breaking down the waxy coating on an insect’s exoskeleton, which causes them to essentially dehydrate from the inside out.

BE AWARE: Only use food-grade diatomaceous earth. Do not use the type made for pool filters. It is UNSAFE.

In fact, Diatomaceous earth makes a great insect barrier, because if they cross it, they will die. Sprinkle it wherever you see ants, as well as under your refrigerator, on windowsills, in your pantry, around garbage cans, or any other place where insects might congregate in your home.

Vinegar

Vinegar has a strong odor, and works in much the same way to get rid of ants as some of the essential oils I mentioned earlier. It repels them and masks their pheromone trails so more ants can’t follow.

Powdered Sugar and Baking Soda

One of the best ways to get rid of ants is mixing powdered sugar and baking soda at a 50/50 ratio. The powdered sugar attracts them, and the baking soda expands when the ants ingest it, essential exploding them from the inside out. If you use this method, just try not to think about it too much.

Get Rid of Ants Safely and Effectively

I hate ants with a capital HATE. Seriously, they annoy me, so I want to keep them out. I have used some of these methods, and they work. My biggest tip is to keep everything free of food. Any food particles are an open invitation for an ant invasion. If, however, you still have those little creepers, any of these methods are safe and effective ways to get rid of ants. It’s a great feeling to know you can get rid of ants and not endanger the family.