How to Get Rid of Ants Permanently and Naturally: 12 Methods to Try at Home

Nature gives us many safe ways to fight ant problems without using strong chemicals. Most of these natural methods use common things from your house that you probably already have in your kitchen. These solutions work by stopping ant behavior, removing their food sources, or making blocks they cannot cross. Here are 12 proven natural methods for how to get rid of ants permanently.

1. White Vinegar Solution

White vinegar is one of the best natural things that keep ants away. Mix equal parts of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray this solution on ant paths, entry points, and areas where you see ants. The strong smell of vinegar breaks the smell paths that ants use to find their way. This method kills ants when you spray them and also stops new ones from following the same path.

2. Special Earth Powder

Food-grade diatomaceous earth is a natural powder made from tiny sea creatures. Sprinkle this powder along ant paths and entry points. The small pieces damage the ant's outside shell and cause drying out. According to Healthline, this method works by taking away the natural oils from the ant's hard outer cover, which makes them dry out completely. Always use food-grade diatomaceous earth as it is safe for humans and pets.

3. Borax and Sugar Bait

Create a deadly bait by mixing equal parts borax and sugar. Place small amounts on cardboard pieces near ant paths. The sugar brings ants while the borax kills them slowly. This delay lets worker ants carry the poison back to their home, killing the queen and other ants. Always keep this mixture away from children and pets as borax can hurt them if eaten.

4. Essential Oil Blocks

Peppermint, tea tree, and eucalyptus oils create strong smell blocks that ants stay away from. Mix 10-20 drops of essential oil with two cups of water in a spray bottle. Spray around doors, windows, and wall edges. Quoting from Better Homes & Gardens, Harry Peters from Tidy Choice said, "The smell of peppermint is strong enough to keep away insects—ants, flies, and mosquitoes—without being too strong to cause headaches or sickness."

5. Cinnamon Treatment

Ground cinnamon works as both something that keeps ants away and kills them. Sprinkle cinnamon powder around entry points and ant paths. You can also place cinnamon sticks in problem areas. The strong smell stops ant navigation, while the chemicals in cinnamon can be poisonous to ants when they breathe it in.

6. Coffee Grounds Block

Used coffee grounds create a good ant deterrent. Spread fresh coffee grounds around the outside of your home and in areas where ants enter. The strong smell and feel stop ants from crossing these areas. Replace the grounds every few days as they lose power when they dry out completely.

7. Baking Soda and Powdered Sugar Mix

Mix equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar in shallow dishes. Place these near ant paths and entry points. According to TreeHugger, ants naturally have acid in their bodies for protection, and when they eat this mixture, the baking soda reacts with their natural acids like a small chemical experiment that harms them from the inside.

8. Lemon Juice Use

Fresh lemon juice hides ant smell paths and creates a sour block they stay away from. Squeeze lemon juice around door frames, window edges, and other entry points. You can also mix lemon juice with water for a spray solution. The sour acid in lemons stops the chemical paths ants need to find their way.

9. Boiling Water Treatment

Pour boiling water directly on ant hills and entry points. This method kills ants right away and destroys their homes. While it won't kill entire ant families, it reduces ant numbers a lot. Use this treatment on many ant hills around your property for better results.

10. Cornmeal Feeding

Sprinkle cornmeal near ant paths and meeting spots. Ants like this starchy food, but they cannot digest it properly. TreeHugger reader Jill shared her experience of putting cornmeal near her back porch and checking daily to see the same ant trail, but after forgetting about it for a while, she found that the entire ant trail had completely disappeared.

11. Chalk Lines

Draw chalk lines around entry points like windows and doors. The chalk powder stops ant smell paths for a short time. While this method may not work for a long time, it can give you time to use other solutions. You need to use it again often as ants find ways around chalk blocks.

12. Soap and Water Spray

Mix a few drops of liquid dish soap with water in a spray bottle. Spray directly on ants and their paths. The soap breaks down the ant's outside skin, causing drying out and death. This method works quickly for ants you can see but needs direct contact to work.

Sometimes natural methods need extra help or may not work for very bad ant problems. Here are stronger solutions when gentle ways fail.

1. Store-bought Ant Baits

Store-bought ant baits have stronger poisons made to kill entire ant families. Place these baits near ant paths but away from pets and children. The worker ants carry the poison back to the nest, killing the queen and other family members.

2. Professional Pest Control

Call professional exterminators when ant problems don't go away despite your work. According to Brittany Hampton from Purifly, as quoted from Better Homes & Gardens, when homeowners have tried their best with natural solutions but still cannot solve the problem, local pest control companies can provide the most suitable and safe treatments based on each customer's particular situation and area. Professionals can identify ant types and use special treatments.

3. Stronger Chemical Sprays

Store-bought ant sprays have powerful chemicals that kill ants when you spray them. Use these products carefully and follow all safety instructions. Spray around entry points and paths, but make sure you have fresh air and keep away from food areas.

Prevention is the best way to avoid future ant problems. By removing what brings ants and blocking their entry points, you can keep your home ant-free permanently.

1. Close Entry Points

Find and close cracks around windows, doors, and house bottom using caulk or putty. Check where pipes and wires enter your house and close these gaps. Regular checking helps you catch new entry points before ants find them.

2. Store Food Properly

Keep all food in closed containers or the refrigerator. Clean up crumbs and spills right away, especially sweet things that bring ants. Store pet food in closed containers and clean food bowls after each meal.

3. Fix Water Problems

Repair leaky pipes and remove standing water sources. Ants need water to live, so removing wetness makes your home less attractive. Check under sinks and around machines for hidden water leaks.

4. Keep Things Clean

Clean floors, counters, and eating areas daily. Take out trash regularly and keep garbage cans clean. Vacuum regularly to remove food pieces that might bring ants.

5. Garden Care

Keep plants and bushes at least three feet away from your house walls. Cut branches that touch your home as ants use these as bridges. Remove dead plants and old things from around your house bottom.