Ingredients:
- White vinegar – 1 cup
- Water – 1 cup
- Essential oils (optional, but highly effective): Peppermint, tea tree, or citrus oils – 10-15 drops
- Liquid dish soap – A few drops
- Baking soda (for sprinkling, not mixing) – 1-2 tbsp (optional)
- Cinnamon or ground coffee (for garden use) – A few tablespoons
Directions:
- Create the vinegar spray: In a spray bottle, mix equal parts white vinegar and water. Add the essential oils and a few drops of liquid dish soap. Shake well to combine.
- Apply indoors: Spray the mixture around windowsills, doorways, and any other entry points where you’ve seen ants. Also, spray along baseboards, kitchen countertops, and any other places where ants frequent.
- For outdoor use in the garden:
- Cinnamon and coffee grounds: Sprinkle cinnamon or ground coffee around the perimeter of your garden and near plants that are being attacked by ants. Both work as a natural deterrent, and the strong smell will help repel ants.
- Baking soda: For spots where ants are especially problematic, sprinkle some baking soda directly on ant trails and near entry points.
- Reapply as needed: The mixture is natural and safe, but you may need to reapply every few days or after rain.
Bonus Tips:
- Lemon juice: You can also spray diluted lemon juice around the house as an alternative. Ants dislike acidic environments, so it can help disrupt their trails.
- Chalk or baby powder: Draw lines with chalk or sprinkle baby powder near doors and windows to confuse the ants’ trail-following instincts.
These natural methods should help you keep ants away without using harmful chemicals.
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