How to get rid of ants humanely

1. Seal Entry Points

The first step is to prevent ants from coming into your home by blocking their access points. Ants enter through tiny cracks and gaps, so sealing these areas keeps them out without causing harm.

How to Do It:

• Inspect your home for cracks in walls, windows, and doorways.
• Use caulk or weather stripping to seal these gaps.
• Make sure window screens and door seals are intact.

2. Vinegar Spray: Mask Their Trails

Ants rely on scent trails to communicate and find their way to food. Vinegar disrupts these trails, confusing them without harming them.

How to Use:

• Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle.
• Spray along ant trails, windowsills, doors, and countertops.
• Wipe surfaces after spraying to spread the vinegar scent.
• Reapply as needed to keep ants from reestablishing trails.

3. Peppermint Essential Oil: Repel with Fragrance

Ants dislike strong scents, particularly peppermint. This essential oil acts as a natural repellent without killing the ants.

How to Use:

• Mix 10–15 drops of peppermint essential oil with water in a spray bottle.
• Spray around doors, windows, and entry points.
• Soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them in areas where ants are active, such as cupboards and corners.

4. Lemon Juice: Natural Deterrent

Lemon juice’s acidity messes with ants’ ability to follow scent trails, helping to keep them out of your home.

How to Use:

• Mix 1 part lemon juice with 3 parts water in a spray bottle.
• Spray around entry points, windows, and areas where ants are active.
• The citrus scent will discourage ants from coming back.

5. Cinnamon: Block Their Path

Cinnamon works similarly to vinegar and essential oils. Its strong scent disrupts ants’ trails and keeps them away.

How to Use:

• Sprinkle ground cinnamon near entry points and along ant trails.
• Alternatively, use cinnamon essential oil by mixing a few drops with water and spraying it in key areas.

6. Cucumber Peels: Ants Can’t Stand Them

Ants have a natural aversion to cucumber, particularly bitter varieties. Placing cucumber peels around ant-prone areas can deter them.

How to Use:

• Place fresh cucumber peels near doors, windows, and ant trails.
• Replace the peels every few days as they dry out and lose potency.

7. Coffee Grounds: A Simple Repellent

Used coffee grounds are another humane way to keep ants away, as they dislike the strong scent and texture.

How to Use:

• Sprinkle used coffee grounds around the perimeter of your home, at doorways, and near windows.
• Replace the grounds regularly to keep the scent strong.

8. Bay Leaves and Mint: Natural Scent Barriers

Bay leaves and mint plants are great at repelling ants due to their strong smell.

How to Use:

• Place fresh bay leaves in cupboards, drawers, and around food storage areas to keep ants away.
• Plant mint around your home’s foundation or place potted mint plants near windows and doors to deter ants from entering.

9. Chalk Lines: Simple and Effective

Ants won’t cross chalk lines because the powder interferes with their scent trails.

How to Use:

• Draw thick chalk lines around entry points like doorways, windows, and cracks in walls.
• Reapply the chalk regularly, especially after cleaning or rain.

10. Cornstarch Barrier: A Physical Block

Cornstarch doesn’t harm ants but creates a barrier they are reluctant to cross, gently encouraging them to go elsewhere.

How to Use:

• Sprinkle cornstarch around areas where you see ants.
• It can be used indoors around kitchen countertops or along window frames and entry points.

11. Remove Food and Water Sources

Ants enter homes primarily in search of food and water. By keeping your space clean and eliminating these resources, you can naturally reduce their interest.

How to Do It:

• Wipe down counters, sweep floors, and clean up spills immediately.
• Store food in airtight containers, especially sugary or starchy items.
• Empty garbage regularly and keep trash bins tightly sealed.
• Fix leaky pipes and ensure no water is left standing in sinks or containers.

12. Redirection: Create a New Food Source Away from Your Home

If you want to divert ants away from your home, you can set up an alternate food source far from your living area. This way, they can gather food elsewhere and leave your space undisturbed.

How to Do It:

• Place a small dish of sugar or honey outside, far from your house.
• Once the ants find this food source, they will likely shift their focus away from your home.

13. Create Barriers with Natural Repellents

Use items like diatomaceous earth (food grade), cayenne pepper, or ground black pepper to create a barrier that ants won’t cross.

How to Use:

• Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around entry points, windows, and cracks in walls.
• Sprinkle cayenne or black pepper in areas where you see ant activity.

14. Plant Ant-Repelling Herbs

Planting certain herbs around your home can keep ants at bay. Herbs like lavender, rosemary, mint, and thyme are known to repel ants due to their strong aromas.

How to Use:

• Plant these herbs in your garden or place potted versions around doors and windows.
• Indoors, place small herb pots on windowsills or in the kitchen.

15. Citrus Peels: A Natural, Pleasant Barrier

Ants are not fond of citrus, especially lemon, lime, and orange peels, which contain natural repelling properties.

How to Use:

• Scatter citrus peels near entry points and areas where ants have been spotted.
• Replace them every few days for continued effectiveness.

16. Soap and Water Solution

A simple solution of soap and water can deter ants by breaking down their exoskeletons without killing them.

How to Use:

• Mix a few drops of dish soap with water in a spray bottle.
• Spray directly onto ants and along trails. The soap disrupts their ability to navigate.

17. Honey and Borax Mixture

While Borax can be harmful if ingested in large quantities, when used in small amounts mixed with honey, it can create a bait that encourages ants to carry it back to their nests, leading them to relocate without harming them.

How to Use:

• Mix 1 part honey with 1 part Borax and place small amounts on cardboard near ant trails.
• This encourages them to take it back to their nests, effectively moving them on.

18. Baby Powder or Talcum Powder

Baby powder creates a barrier that ants find difficult to cross. This can effectively block their pathways without harm.

How to Use:

• Sprinkle baby powder along entry points and ant trails.
• Reapply after cleaning or rain for continued effectiveness.

19. Pine-Sol Solution

The strong smell of Pine-Sol can repel ants without harming them.

How to Use:

• Mix equal parts of Pine-Sol and water in a spray bottle.
• Spray around entry points and along ant trails. The scent can deter ants from returning.

20. Boric Acid Paste

While boric acid can kill ants, it can be used in a way that encourages them to leave without directly killing them. Mix it with sugar to attract them.

How to Use:

• Mix 1 tablespoon of boric acid with 1 cup of sugar and water to create a paste.
• Place small amounts in areas where ants are active. This encourages them to carry it back to their nest.

21. Neem Oil

Neem oil is a natural insect repellent that disrupts the life cycle of ants.

How to Use:

• Mix a few drops of neem oil with water in a spray bottle.
• Spray it around entry points and areas where you see ants. The scent will repel them.

22. Using a Water Barrier

Creating a water barrier can deter ants from crossing.

How to Use:

• Fill shallow dishes with water and place them in front of entry points.
• The ants will avoid crossing the water, redirecting them away from your home.

23. Fennel Seeds

Fennel has a scent that ants dislike.

How to Use:

• Sprinkle fennel seeds around entry points and ant trails.
• The smell will encourage ants to move on.

24. Chili Powder or Red Pepper Flakes

The strong smell and taste of chili powder can deter ants without harming them.

How to Use:

• Sprinkle chili powder or red pepper flakes at entry points and around ant nests.
• This will create an uncomfortable environment for them.

25. Olive Oil

Olive oil can be used to block the scent trails that ants follow.

How to Use:

• Wipe surfaces with a cloth soaked in olive oil. This will mask their scent trails and discourage them from returning.

26. Salt Barrier

Salt is another natural repellent that can help deter ants.

How to Use:

• Create a barrier of salt around entry points.
• Reapply after rain or cleaning to maintain effectiveness.

27. Move Food Sources Outdoors

If you have pets or enjoy outdoor dining, consider relocating food sources to areas away from your home.

How to Do It:

• Store pet food in sealed containers outdoors.
• Clean up outdoor dining areas promptly after meals to reduce attraction.

28. Ant-Repelling Plants

Certain plants can naturally repel ants due to their strong scents.

Plants to Consider:

• Mint: Plant mint around your home.
• Sage: Burning sage can create a natural repellent effect.

29. Regular Inspections

Regularly inspecting your home for signs of ant activity can help you address potential infestations early.

How to Do It:

• Check for crumbs, spills, or other food sources.
• Keep an eye on areas where you’ve seen ants in the past.

30. Natural Companions

Using other insects to your advantage can help control ant populations naturally.

How to Do It:

• Introduce beneficial insects, like ladybugs, that prey on aphids, which can attract ants.

By using these humane methods, you can effectively manage ant populations in your home while encouraging them to relocate naturally and peacefully.