‘How to get rid of ants’ is a topic that pops up in many homes during the spring and summer seasons. Whether you want to get rid of ants in your kitchen, pet food, home or garden this all-natural spray will get rid of ants without harmful chemicals!
Find more natural pest repelling solutions with the best homemade fruit fly trap and this hack for repelling flies!
Ah, spring. The buds on the trees, the flowers blooming, and the sugar ants streaming across your kitchen countertop.
Wait, WUT?
It happens each year, those tiny ants that pop up seasonally around kitchens, trashcans, pet food, even in dishwashers. They’re annoying and unsanitary, but I have a secret weapon for you: a 3 ingredient DIY ant spray that will amaze you!
I mean, WHY would you spray chemicals in your kitchen– your food is touching those surfaces! The natural way is WAY safer. So go ahead and channel your inner boy band and start belting out ‘Bye Bye Bye’ like it’s 2000, because it’s go time for those ants to hit the road… Justin Timberlake style.
Did you know that many critters HATE peppermint oil? And in the case of ants, it destroys them on contact. In fact, it works so well I took photos to share but they were pretty gross and didn’t fit with the vibe of my blog, but trust me– this stuff will take care of those ants.
I also use it to deter squirrels and other rodents on our deck. They hate the scent of peppermint oil so it’ll just make ’em feel unwelcome and they’ll leave you alone.
How to Make DIY Ant Spray (VIDEO)
Homemade Ant Spray Recipe
Materials:
- cotton balls
- glass spray bottle
- 10-12 drops pure peppermint essential oil
- water
- 1 TB witch hazel or vodka (this helps disperse the oil)
Directions:
- Add a a tablespoon of witch hazel or vodka to a 4oz glass spray bottle (a small funnel makes this easy.)
- Add 10-15 drops of pure peppermint essential oil.
- Fill the rest of the bottle with water, leaving enough room in the bottle to attach the spray top.
- Add a label to easily identify what’s inside (keep scrolling to get your free printable labels!)
- Shake before each use, and you’re ready to go!
How to Get Rid of Ants Using Peppermint Oil
Step One: First of all, stop the problem where it starts. Find where the ants are entering your home. Add a good amount of peppermint oil to a cotton ball, and run it along the ant trail. Then place the cotton ball at the entrance. You may need to repeat this several times a day at first, then once a day, then not at all, depending on the severity of your issue.
Step Two: Mix up an Ant Spray to take care of the stragglers. You can also spray it along the ant trail, around pet food, etc. I even spray this on my deck cushions to deter the squirrels that (used to) chew them!
As with any product, make sure to keep essential oils and essential oil products out of the reach of pets and children.
Free Printable Homemade Pest Spray Labels
Do you like the label on the bottle? You can get an entire set of homemade cleaning labels that you can print at home by clicking the ‘Click Here to Get Free Labels’ box below.
Now get out there, ant warrior. YOU CAN DO IT!
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Karenann says
This is wonderful information as I suffer with those tiny little pests each Spring as well. Just one quick question, does the essential oils leave any residue or harm wood?
Carrie Higgins says
I haven’t had issues with it leaving residue, but I’d always spot check it first. My wood is painted and I didn’t find a problem with the peppermint oil but you do need to be careful with other types of oils like lemon. Hope that helps, sorry it’s not a definitive answer but each surface varies!
MAGGI says
Thank you -thank you -thank you! I found a trail of those critters this morning and with dogs I was looking for a natural remedy! Such timing-I’m thrilled you gave me this timely cure!
Becca E says
Do you know if this works on all types of ants? I have the huuuuuuge black ones in my kitchen, they just showed up a few days ago and I’d really like to nip this before it gets out of hand! Thanks for the tips!
Carrie Higgins says
I haven’t tried it on the big ones (I’m guessing carpenter ants?) but I’m guessing it would, perhaps just in a stronger concentration. Let me know if it works!
Charity says
Great tip! I’ve had a trail recently and didn’t want to use ant spray in my kitchen! Any ideas for ladybugs and stink bugs? They seem to love to winter over in my house and my floors and windows get covered with them!
Taniss says
Thanks for the info! is this safe for dogs?
Carrie Higgins says
You can use essential oils on pets but since they are smaller than humans they require different dilution ratios (and some are harmful to pets that aren’t harmful to humans). Since it depends on the breed and size, I’d suggest doing some research about what’s safe for your specific type/size dog. I wish I had more info for you but unfortunately don’t know a lot about EOs and pets at this time.
Laura says
I cleaned my floor with a few drops of peppermint oil, dish soap, and hot water and now have ants all over the place. š
Carrie Higgins says
They may be attracted to the dish soap, or the hot water and soap may have washed the essential oil away. Make sure you’re using a high quality essential oil and spray it where they come in a few times a day, you’ll see a big difference!
Carlene says
I have used Dr Bronners peppermint soap (diluted of course) for mopping to deter bugs and it seemed to help… Worth a try!
inanna says
Thank you for this very interesting article, I want to make the spray and use it…
I live in the Tropics and I have my house infested by the little reddish ants, the kitchen in particular, and I wash and clean the kitchen several times a day and make it looking like a surgical room….
I also get bites, and they are very painful! I am very desperate so I want to try it asap.
English is not my first language, I’m sorry for any mistake.
Thank you!
Gina says
Is there anything to replace the witch hazel? Thanx for your response
Carrie Higgins says
Hi Gina! You can probably use any type of liquid that would act as a dispersant, such as rubbing alcohol or even vodka (though I haven’t personally tried either of those, typically they can replace witch hazel in other recipes.)
Mark Thompson says
vodka
Danny says
We had to keep our counter tops really clean and also the dish washer but we planted mint around the house especially outside the kitchen windows . This has worked like a charm. Most any kind of mint will do, whatever you like best . Mint is a winner.
Jeanne Nelson says
Hi I have the peppermint oil from young living but I do not have either witch hazel or vodka. Is it necessary to have one of those to make it the most effective?
Carrie Higgins says
It helps bind the oils to the spray, since oil and water don’t mix. If you give it a really good few shakes before using it might work as well, but I’ve found something like witch hazel works to vaporize the oils to work at their best. š
Noor says
I tried but the ants are too resilient and they kept coming back. ?
Homemade Ant Killer says
Sorry if this was asked before, but is this safe for cats? I have 2 cats and just want to make sure it’s ok to spray this around the home!
Norma says
Does this mixture require a glass container?
Mimi says
I have another trick that my dear Grandma taught me. Use some chalk (my daughter’s sidewalk chalk)and draw around the area where the ants are entering. Make it pretty thick. The ants will not cross the chalk line. It really works!
Prince Ezer says
Hi, this Is JAWDROPPING. Keep up the good work. Appreciate all the efforts you put in here. Stay safe!