Ant-Free Living: Discover The Best Essential Oils For Ant Control
Ants are one of the most common household pests. They can cause havoc in kitchens and bathrooms and act as unsightly guests at picnics and barbecues. There are a few options to keep them out of your home but it's also worth exploring some of these alternatives as well as natural remedies such as essential oils before you go crazy with sprays and insecticides that don't always work. Ants are tiny but they are a real nuisance as they can get into all kinds of places and wreak havoc by carrying off small food particles, leaving a trail of pheromones which will attract even more ants. They also have a 'take no prisoners' attitude and will beat up on other bugs much bigger than them for their lunch. A big infestation can quickly become a serious problem and at first glance, the problem looks insurmountable.
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However, there are ways to repel them from your home and garden using inexpensive products that you have on hand or by using natural remedies including essential oils. You could try placing a few drops of the essential oils into old soft drink bottles, poke a few holes in the lid and place it outside to act as a trap for ants moving about your property. Replace every week or when full. This is also a good idea if you have pets and children around as this will help reduce accidental ingestion of toxic chemicals.
Best Essential Oils For Getting Rid Of Ants In The House:
1) Peppermint Essential Oil
This one not only smells great and is perfect for your kitchen or bathroom. Peppermint essential oil repels ants and other insects, making it a worthwhile ingredient to include in your home cleaning arsenal. You can also use mint-infused vinegar as a natural ant repellent, just spray it directly onto the affected area. Peppermint oil is very effective in repelling these insects so keep it handy and use it when necessary.
2) Lemongrass Essential Oil
This one is more commonly used as an insect repellent not just for ants but for fleas as well. It's also handy if you have dogs or cats on the premises that you need to protect from fleas and ticks.
3) Cinnamon Essential Oil
This is a universal repellent, whether it's ants or fleas. It's one of the most useful essential oils you can have around the house so keep a bottle handy.
4) Clove Essential Oil
This one is also popular as an insect repellent and found in most commercial brands so it's well worth including as part of your home bug-repellent arsenal. The smell also adds to its effectiveness since it smells similar to peppermint but perhaps a little sweeter.
5) Bay Leaf Essential Oil
Bay leaf oil is effective against insects and if you're like me, you'll always have a bay leaf or two in the spice rack. You can steep the leaves in boiling water to infuse them before adding them to spray bottles to fight off ants.
6) Cedarwood Essential Oil
When you feel swarmed by ants, it's usually because they are attracted to the sweet food particles on the floor, especially near your kitchen and other food-related areas. Cedarwood essential oil not only repels them but will help keep them from returning since it will leave an unpleasant odor that they don't like.
Benefits Of Using Essential Oils For Ant Repelling:
1) Ants are attracted to strong fragrances that others often find unpleasant so by using essential oils which smell great, they will be less inclined to 'take over' your home.
2) Essential oils are highly concentrated and most of them don't smell pleasant. So if ants are entering your home and getting hit with a blast of disgusting chemical sprays, they won't stick around for long.
3) Most ant bites and stings have an allergic reaction so using essential oils for these types of bites will help reduce the uncomfortable symptoms.
4) You can use essential oils for ants to help prevent future infestations in areas where you have seen signs of an existing problem. This can be anywhere from your house to your garden and yard.
5) Essential oils are more natural and safe for people and pets.
6) Essential oils are perfect for those times when you need to kill white ants or larger ones.
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DIY Recipes Of Essential Oils For Repelling Ants In The House:
Recipe 1: Oil Mix To Repel Carpenter Ants
Ingredients:
- 10 drops of clove essential oil,
- 50 ml of water,
- 1 tablespoon of alcohol,
- 6 drops of peppermint essential oil,
- 3 drops of lemongrass essential oil,
- 2.5 cup water, and
- 4 tablespoons alcohol.
Procedure:
- Combine the essential oils and pour over the solution.
- Let sit overnight to get its effect.
Recipe 2: Oil Mix For Ants In The Pantry
Ingredients:
- 20 drops of peppermint essential oil,
- 50 ml of water,
- 1 tablespoon of alcohol,
- 6 drops of lemongrass essential oil,
- 4 tablespoons of vinegar and water mixture.
Procedure:
- Mix thoroughly before storing in a flat-bottomed container with a tight lid.
- Keep in a cool dry place away from sunlight. Replace every 4 weeks.
Recipe 3: Natural Ant-Repellent Spray
Ingredients:
- 100 ml white vinegar,
- 50 ml water,
- 10-20 drops of lemongrass essential oils or clove oil,
- ¼ teaspoon liquid soap, and a few mint leaves for flavor.
Procedure:
- Mix the vinegar, water, and essential oils in a spray bottle.
- Refrigerate for 2-3 hours to develop the smell.
- Once it's ready to use, combine it with liquid soap and the mint leaves for flavor.
- Spray the mixture directly on ant trails and set out where ants are likely to enter or go near.
- Repeat every few days or weeks until the ants are completely gone (they will leave droppings as they move about so record these).
Recipe 4: Natural Ant Spray For Fire Ants
Ingredients:
- 20 drops of peppermint essential oil,
- 50 ml of water,
- 1 tablespoon of alcohol,
- 4 tablespoons of vinegar and water mixture,
- 10 drops of cinnamon essential oil.
Procedure:
- Combine the two solutions thoroughly before spraying directly on fire ant trails or near areas where they usually enter your home.
- Replace every few weeks until the ants are eliminated.
FAQs:
1) Are essential oils safe to use around food?
Yes, they are. If you strain them out, then don't worry about it but for safety reasons, it's best to strain before blending the oils and use in either a spray bottle or a diffuser. However if you do drink the essential oil mixture, make sure to dilute it with water and consume only in small amounts.
2) Are essential oils safe to use on children?
Yes, essential oils are very safe as long as they are used correctly. Most of the time, a couple of drops of essential oil are usually fine and do not cause side effects. However, some of these oils are skin irritants and should be applied with caution. It's best to consult a doctor before using essential oils in children.
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