Organic Ant Control

Organic Remedies For Ants

I seem to have ants all over the place these days!  They congregate in my kitchen and on my back porch, and they are all over my garden.  I don’t use pesticides in my home or garden, so I’ve been searching for other remedies.  When I had chickens, they were my natural pest control!  It took about a month to rid my entire yard and garden of ants, and I didn’t see a single one for ages.  Those girls were on a mission!  But I had to cut out our egg production for this year, due to some unforeseen circumstances.  And so they creepers came back with a vengeance!

Ants can be a big problem in the garden as well.  When you see them in the garden, you’ll probably see aphids.  Aphids eat and damage plants severely.  Ants eat the honeydew secreted by aphids that is left on the plant after they eat.  And since aphids are a food supply, they will protect aphids from predator insects!  Ants will actually go to great lengths to protect aphids from predators.  So if you have an aphid problem, check for ants!

So I’ve searched for some organic, non-pesticide ways to control ants and keep them at bay, both in the house, around the yard, and in the garden.  Most of these use common household items.  Especially if you have a chemical-free home, or at least try to lessen the use of chemicals, it’s a good idea to keep these simple items in your pantry.

Ant Control

~Baby powder.  A mixture of plain flour and backing powder will deter ants from reaching your plants.  Sprinkle around the entire plant so they wont cross it.

~Good old Southern Grits.  Fine ground grits will expand in the ant’s gut after they eat it.  So when they drink water, the grit will expand and kill the them.  Use in the garden, sprinkle a ring around plants.

~Coffee grounds.  If you pour used or fresh coffee grounds on and around an anthill, they will eat the grounds and die.

~Chili powder sprinkled around an anthill.  They don’t like pepper.

~Cinnamon.  Sprinkle a trail of cinnamon along windows, cracks or other areas you see ants coming in.  Cinnamon oil in a spray bottle with water sprayed along cracks and foundation.

~Peppermint.  Use either peppermint leaves, oil, or leaves tinctured in alcohol and spray where you see ants in the house or near the foundation.

~Vinegar.  The acid in vinegar will kill ants.  Use equal parts of distilled or cider vinegar in a spray bottle.  Spray on countertops, mop floors, spray porches and window sills wherever you see these pesky critters.

~Lemon juice.  Like vinegar, spray on trails or hills.

~Salt.  Pour salt around the foundation of your home IF you do not have foundation plants.  Salt will kill the plants.  A mixture of half a cup vinegar and two teaspoons salt in a sprayer bottle filled with water, can be used on counters and under cabinets where these pests come in.

~Borax.  Mix a couple teaspoons of borax and confectioner’s sugar, sprinkle along their trails.  You can also mix this together and sprinkle near anthills or around your plants.  Make a paste with water, and leave small chunks  near anthills.  Borax will kill them.

~Sugar and Equal sweetener.  Equal is a neurotoxin to ants, and will kill them.

~Diatomaceous earth.  It will also kill good insects, so I use it only when I see an infestation around my plants.

Preventative Measures for Ants

Ants need food to survive, so there are a few things you can do to help decrease an infestation.

As preventative measures, store food in sealed containers.  Waste matter and compostable material should be carried out daily.  Trash taken out and floors swept.  Counters should be wiped after use.  Wash dishes regularly to avoid leaving food for them.

Look for areas of entry and caulk or seal when possible.

I hope these remedies help you!

Suzanne