8 Ways To Eliminate Ants Organically

The presence of the occasional ant in the home is something that can be tolerated because it does not pose a threat to food or the garden. However, with the arrival of summer, the infestation is likely to increase and become a problem both indoors and outdoors. Do you know how to eliminate ants naturally?

Ants can make a mess of the garden and they can also come inside the house to invade any food. Taking this into account, many people look for a solution to exterminate them or at least drive them away.

There are many kinds of insecticides on the market that can help eliminate them completely; however, these types of products are loaded with toxic chemicals that can be harmful. Therefore, we propose some natural alternatives to repel them.

Homemade solutions to eliminate ants naturally

1. Garlic water

Sulfur compounds and the smell of garlic seem to be very annoying to ants. This natural ingredient helps drive them away and keeps areas of the home protected. According to this study carried out by Washington State University, it could be due to its strong antiparasitic action.

What is to be done?

• Put several cloves of crushed garlic in a pot with water and let it rest for a minimum of 24 hours.
• After the recommended time, heat over low heat for 15 minutes.
• Pour into a spray bottle and apply where needed.

2. Rice

An old trick ensures that this ingredient can kill ants when fermented inside their nest. However, some doubt its effectiveness, there is no longer scientific evidence to support it. In any case, we share it for those who want to try it.

What is to be done?

• Throw some white rice down the path used by these insects.
• By doing this, the ants leave their load to collect the grains and take them to the anthill.

• Once it reaches this place, the heat causes the rice to ferment and the desired effect is achieved.

3. Orange peels

Most people discard orange peels without knowing that they have incredible properties to be used in health and at home. In this case, they are characterized by releasing a substance that is bothersome to the ant infestation, as stated in this study carried out by the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (Nigeria).

What is to be done?

• Chop the orange peel into very small pieces and spread them along the path that ants usually travel.

4. Yeast

This product is believed to be very irritating to ants, but there is no fully verified evidence. This study from New Mexico State University, meanwhile, emphasizes its role as a mosquito repellent.

What is to be done?

• Make a mixture of 100 grams of yeast in a liter of water with 100 grams of sugar.
• Put the remedy in small containers and distribute them in the areas of the garden or the house affected by the invasion of ants.

5. White pepper

This natural ingredient has compounds that repel and repel ants, according to this research carried out by the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa),    to prevent them from invading the garden or the house. If you want to eliminate ants organically, be sure to try it.

What is to be done?

• Mix equal parts of white pepper powder and water.
• Spray it on the trunks of the plants or the path that the ants travel.

6. Baking soda

This white powder is believed to have a powerful action to repel ants and prevent them from invading the garden.  However, the only thing that is proven is that it has a strong antimicrobial action, according to this study conducted by the University of Iowa.

If you still want to try it:

What is to be done?

• Sprinkle baking soda around plants or along the path of ants.
• A similar effect can be had by using salt or ash.

7. Wormwood infusion

According to this study carried out by the South China Agricultural University, absinthe is a bitter plant that is very unpleasant to ants. This natural ingredient manages to scare them away and keep them away from home.

What is to be done?

• Bring two liters of water to a boil and add a handful of wormwood leaves and roots.
• Let the infusion rest for at least five hours and then spray it on the affected plants or areas of the home.

8. Lemon and water

The acidity of the lemon and its bitterness are very annoying to the ants and manage to drive them away, as this study by the Tarbiat Morades University (Iran) assures. However, it is a product with a short effect that must be applied every day for it to work.

What is to be done?

• Squeeze a lemon into a glass of water and pour it into a spray bottle.
• Apply the mixture all the way the ants travel and especially on the anthill.

Have you already tried these tricks to eliminate ants? If you’re still using toxic insecticides, go natural. Although you do not get such instant effects, it is much healthier.