Make This Non-Toxic Spray to Keep Ants Out of Your Kitchen (2024)

A mixture of leftover citrus rinds and vinegar is an easy, food-safe way to cut ants off at the pass.

First things first: I secretly love ants. I love all living things (well, except mosquitoes. And lately, some humans) – so if you are looking for a homemade formula to zap these cute little social creatures into oblivion, that's not where we are going here. However, if you are looking for a gentle way to thwart their entry into your home, then you've come to the right place.

You really have to hand it to the ants. Somehow, against all odds, they find their way in. I live on the 4th floor of a building in Brooklyn, and even though my kitchen is crumb-free and (almost) spotless, every year I see a trial of them lining up to barge in. Four floors seems like a pretty long way to go for not much in return – they are persevering and tireless, that's for sure.

So I have written about my ants before, and explained what I have long thought of as the perfect solution for keeping them out of the house. (Because as fascinating as I think they are, I don't like inadvertently eating them.) My number one solution is cinnamon, which you can read about here: How to keep ants out of your house naturally. But as much as I love the smell of cinnamon, spring and summer don't always feel so cinnamon-y, and so I've adopted a new formula that feels a little more seasonally relevant.

It's very simple, a mixture of citrus rinds and vinegar. It's non-toxic, which is more than can be said for some commercial insect sprays that nobody should have in their kitchens, let alone their homes. And it's a good way to use up some fruit peels.

In this formula, the d-limonene in the citrus mixed with the vinegar works the same way that cinnamon does – by disrupting the pheromone trail that the ants use to navigate along their little paths. Some suggest spraying it directly on the ants – shudder – which will kill them. I only use it along known paths and entry routes. Apparently, they get one whiff and hightail it out of there. And seriously, using it as a deterrent is much nicer than just dousing the poor things with it. What did they ever to do us? Well, aside from carrying entire cupcakes off crumb by crumb, but still.

Here's how simple it is to make – this method comes from Apartment Therapy and is an improvement on how I've been making it.

CITRUS VINEGAR SPRAY
• Add citrus rinds (lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit) to a pot, then add white vinegar to cover.
• Gently the mixture until it’s steaming, but not boiling. Turn off the stove and let the mix sit for several hours to overnight.
• Strain the liquid and pour it into a spray bottle, then store it in the refrigerator.

(And your vinegar-soaked citrus peels can still be used for cleaning, by the way. In fact, the ant spray itself can be used for cleaning, too.)

As I noted in the cinnamon post, removing the lure of crumbs and sealing entry holes should be the first plan of attack. But if they're still coming, this tangy citrus spray should hold them at bay. Extending the life of citrus peels and a bright smelling home are just the icing on the cake ... but don't tell the ants about that part.

Make This Non-Toxic Spray to Keep Ants Out of Your Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

How do you make non toxic ant spray? ›

Mix 5 to 10 drops tea tree essential oil with 2 cups water in a clean plastic spray bottle. Spray the mixture around the house where you typically see ants. Alternatively, you can saturate cotton balls with the mixture and place them around your home.

How do I get rid of ants in my kitchen without chemicals? ›

SUGAR & BAKING SODA TRAP

A simple and natural ant trap can be made by mixing equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar. The sugar attracts the ants, the baking soda naturally kills them.

What natural spray keeps ants away? ›

Vinegar: This vinegar spray makes great natural ant repellent. Mix equal amounts of common white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spray areas where ants enter the home.

How can I make my kitchen ant free? ›

Wash your hands with soap

It's so simple, it seems obvious, but a surprising number of people don't regularly use soap to wash their hands. In the course of preparing a single meal, you'll likely touch raw meat, followed by vegetables that you may or may not cook, and any number of surfaces and utensils.

What is a good homemade ant killer? ›

Try combining three parts powdered sugar with one part boric acid. The sugar will lure the ants in and the boric acid will kill them, Pereira says. Liquid is better—adult ants prefer to drink their food—so water this stuff down a little. “I recommend this to a lot of people,” Pereira says.

What smell do ants hate? ›

Ants hate the smell of strong citrus fruits. Save your orange, lemon and grapefruit peels and scatter them around entry points. It's a natural way to deter ants without harming them.

Will vinegar run ants away? ›

Ants hate Vinegar. The smell of Vinegar will cause them to stay away from it or permanently leave the house. Ants crawl in a straight line, marching towards the food sources. The Vinegar solution will interfere with these pheromones, and the ants will get lost.

Can baking soda keep ants away? ›

Ants know to avoid pure baking soda, so you can sprinkle it around doorways, window sills, and other entry points to keep them out of your home. You can also sprinkle some in cabinets, under sinks, and in other dark, moist places where ants may find shelter in your home.

What will ants not cross? ›

Better Than Hopscotch: Ants will not cross a chalk line. Draw a chalk line in front of exterior doors, to prevent ants from coming into the house. You can also draw a chalk line around tables on the porch or patio, to keep pesky ants away while dining outdoors.

What spice do ants hate? ›

Cayenne pepper / Black pepper

How it works: The spicy, strong scent of cayenne pepper (or black pepper, if that's what you have) irritates ants, and they try to avoid it. Pepper's scent also masks the ants' pheromone trails that lead them to food sources in your yard and home.

What is attracting ants in my kitchen? ›

That's because these ant species are attracted to the sugar in food, especially noticeably sweet foods like honey and syrup. They also need water, and can usually find it in and around a kitchen sink. One important thing to note about ants is that they leave behind scent trails that allow them to follow each other.

Does cinnamon get rid of ants in kitchen? ›

Cinnamon is often regarded as an effective DIY ant control option. It is believed that cinnamon acts as a natural repellent because ants cannot stand the smell. Also, if an ant inhales cinnamon, it can suffocate and die. Ground cinnamon can be sprinkled on an ant's pathway for them to inhale.

What food kills ants instantly? ›

Baking soda and powdered sugar: Spreading baking soda with powdered sugar mixture with equal parts may disrupt the digestive systems of ants and kill them. Vinegar: Wiping ants with a solution of equal parts of vinegar and water or only vinegar may work the best.

Do ants hate apple cider vinegar? ›

That's probably why many homeowners hope that vinegar or a mixture of apple cider vinegar and dish soap will kill ants. Unfortunately, it doesn't work.

What chemicals do ants hate? ›

Baking soda; vinegar; lemon juice; some detergents (and cleaning products); Tabasco sauce (and other spicy substances, such as red chili pepper, black pepper and cayenne pepper) usually repel ants to varying degrees, and you may have seen them trapped in these circles.

Do ants hate coffee grounds? ›

First, a lot of insects find coffee toxic, so sprinkle the grounds liberally around plants that are being attacked by ants, slugs or snails. You can also toss grounds around your outdoor seating areas (or place them in containers) to help repel mosquitoes and fruit flies.

Where should I spray vinegar for ants? ›

Use this white vinegar solution to spray all entry points of your home, try to spry all windows, doors, baseboards and the common paths that ants would travel within your home. Give about an hour for this solution to take effect, then after a few hours the ants should be dead.

What should you not use vinegar on? ›

  1. Clothes Iron. Never add vinegar to the tank; it could permanently damage the inside of the appliance. ...
  2. Countertops. If you want to keep your stone countertops looking beautiful, don't reach for vinegar. ...
  3. Dishwashers. ...
  4. Electronic Screens. ...
  5. Flooring. ...
  6. Knives. ...
  7. Ranges. ...
  8. Small Appliances.
2 Dec 2020

Will salt get rid of ants? ›

Use Table Salt + water OR no water. This solution does “kill”. It dehydrates them.

Does Dawn dish soap keep ants away? ›

Getting rid of ants is easy with Dawn Dish Soap. Spray a mixture of water and Dawn directly onto countertops, floors, sinks, or wherever the ants seem to be. This will leave behind a residue that ants refuse to walk across. It is also safe for kids and pets, so you don't have to worry about any harsh chemicals.

Will Irish Spring soap keep ants away? ›

Irish Spring soap repels mammal pests, such as mice, rabbit and deer. It does not repel insect pests.

What kind of soap keeps ants away? ›

Dish Soap. The scent trails that ants use to follow each other into your home can be disrupted with nothing more than ordinary dish soap. Fill a spray bottle with water, add 1/4 cup of dish soap, and shake the bottle to dissolve. Spray the mixture liberally near access points like doorways, windows, and other cracks.

What do ants dislike the most? ›

Both cayenne and black pepper repel ants. Ants hate cayenne pepper. Black pepper will work just as well too. Locate the source of the ant infestation problem, sprinkle some pepper around that area and if possible, create a wall that will stop the ants from accessing your household.

What wont ants walk on? ›

Flour. Wondering how to get rid of ants without dangerous pesticides? Sprinkle a line of flour along the backs of pantry shelves and wherever you see ants entering the house. Repelled by the flour, ants won't cross over the line. This is the best way to get rid of ants at home.

Why does baby powder repel ants? ›

It's highly desiccating, which is why it's used as “baby powder” so babies who dampen their diapers can be dry and not get diaper rash. Ants do not like it, and they will not cross a line of it.

What taste do ants hate? ›

Ants hate the scent of lemon

Its taste good and will freshen you all day! It is common knowledge that lemon not only become great addition to both food and beverages, more than that… lemon is also great natural options to repel ants that you can try at home!

What is the safest ant spray? ›

Best Non-Toxic Killer: Mighty Mint Insect and Pest Control Peppermint Oil. If you need to kill ants without the fear of your pets or children ingesting harmful chemicals, this is the product for you. It's made from peppermint oil and other plant-based ingredients, so it's safe when it's used as directed.

Is there odorless ant spray? ›

Raid® Ant & Roach Killer kills on contact and keeps killing with residual action for up to four weeks. It leaves no lingering chemical odor. This easy-to-use spray ensures complete coverage of the areas that ants, roaches and other listed bugs may be infesting.

What are 8 home remedies to get rid of ants? ›

8 Natural Ways to Repel Ants in Your Yard and Home
  1. Essential oils.
  2. Cayenne pepper / Black pepper.
  3. White vinegar.
  4. Lemon juice.
  5. Cinnamon.
  6. Chili powder.
  7. Citrus peels.
  8. Ant-repelling plants to grow in your garden.
17 Jun 2022

Will peppermint oil keep ants away? ›

Peppermint essential oil is a powerful ant repellent and I have found that ants will not cross a line of peppermint oil wiped on a surface. It also makes your home smell great! To treat a surface with peppermint oil, place a few drops of undiluted peppermint oil on a cotton ball or the corner of a rag.

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