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.
Now that I have that song stuck in your head (YOU’RE WELCOME), 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, but rest assured it will NOT kill the squirrels. It’ll just make ’em feel unwelcome and they’ll leave you alone.
Here’s how to control ants in your home 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!
Ingredients for the spray:
water
1 TB witch hazel or vodka
10-15 drops peppermint essential oil
Directions:
I use a 4 oz glass bottle and fill 2/3 of the way with water. Then add a a tablespoon of witch hazel or vodka, this helps act as a dispersing agent. Top off with 10-15 drops of pure peppermint essential oil, and shake. Now you are ready to roll! Be sure to shake each time before using, as the essential oil will need to remix before being sprayed.
To be perfectly honest, I used this technique last year and I’ve never had to do it again. Those ants got the memo!
That’s it! Now YOU can say ‘bye bye bye’ to ants, naturally. By the way, peppermint oil comes in the Young Living Premium Starter kit for those who have it! It’s the Swiss Army Knife of oils, it does just about everything.
Now get out there, ant warrior. YOU CAN DO IT!
This post is sponsored by my Young Living business! Check out my essential oils page for more information on how you can get these amazing oils in your hands too along with helpful freebies, a gift from me, and tons of support:
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?
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
Thanks for the info! is this safe for dogs?
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.
I cleaned my floor with a few drops of peppermint oil, dish soap, and hot water and now have ants all over the place. 🙁
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!
I have used Dr Bronners peppermint soap (diluted of course) for mopping to deter bugs and it seemed to help… Worth a try!
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!
Is there anything to replace the witch hazel? Thanx for your response
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.)
vodka
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.
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?
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. 🙂
I tried but the ants are too resilient and they kept coming back. ?
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!
Does this mixture require a glass container?