Are you wondering how to get rid of ants? Whether it's because of spilled sugar, fresh fruit, or a forgotten open box of cereal, ants always seem to find a way into our homes and gardens.
While there isn't a natural solution to get rid of ants permanently, with regular home cleaning and upkeep, you can keep them at bay.
Our best tip to keep ants (and other bugs like gnats and fruit flies) away from your food is to stash anything edible in sealed bags and airtight containers that ants (and other critters) can't breach.
The good news is that you probably have the best natural repellents on hand already. Strongly scented sprays made with vinegar or essential oils like citrus and lemongrass are great for creating scent borders.
To put an end to your pesky ant problems, we've gathered the best methods to get rid of ants safely and keep them at bay year-round. Whether you're approaching the problem from indoors or out, read on for how to get rid of ants safely.
Additional copy by Alyssa Khan and Lisa Joyner.
How to get rid of indoor ants
Step 1: Clean the area thoroughly
Ants are attracted to rubbish, food debris, and moisture. The first step to getting rid of ants is to deep-clean your home. If you've seen them mostly in the kitchen, we recommend removing everything from your pantry and wiping down each shelf.
That can also help you locate any problem areas or ant hubs to focus your removal efforts on — like that open bag of cereal you forgot about.
Step 2: Wipe the area with a vinegar solution
Ants hate the smell of vinegar. Mix one part distilled white vinegar with one part water in a spray bottle. Spray each shelf, drawer, and countertop — making sure to get every corner and nook—and wipe it off with a cloth or paper towel.
Just be sure vinegar is safe for the surface material before you start spraying; you shouldn't use vinegar on marble countertops, for instance.
Step 3: Create a border with scents ants hate
Once your place is clean, it's time to send a message telling the ants to stay out. Using any of the ingredients below, sprinkle or spray a line you don't want the ants to cross. The smellier the ingredient, the better—ants naturally avoid strong smells. But the border will only work as long as the smell lasts, so it's important to reapply the lines once a month or so.
- Coffee grounds
- Baby powder
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
- Citrus peels or essential oils
- Soap or all-purpose cleaner
- Vinegar
- Peppermint essential oil
How to get rid of outdoor ants
Step 1: Locate the source
You'll probably be able to identify an ant hill or pile in your garden or near your home's foundation.
Step 2: Drown the ant hill
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully carry the pot outside and slowly pour the hot water into the top of the ant hill. The boiling water will flood the ant colony and prevent the ants from escaping and finding refuge inside your home.
Step 3: Create an outdoor border
This is basically an outdoor version of the indoor ant line, but you can use ingredients that are stronger since you won't be smelling them all the time. Try any of the below materials to create an ant-proof border to prevent ants from getting into your home.
- Baking soda and powdered sugar
- Vinegar and water
- Coffee grounds
- Mint plants
Step 4: Seal all entrances
The best way to keep ants out of your home is to make sure that they can't get in. Fill all cracks with caulk, secure any loose baseboards, and patch any drywall holes.
It's also important to walk around your home's exterior and examine the foundation for holes, cracks, or other potential entry points for ants and other pests.
When to call a professional
If neither of these methods nor store-bought chemical ant repellents works and you can't locate the source of the ants on your own, it's time to call an exterminator. They have better tools and other tricks of the trade to help solve your ant problem once and for all.
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