Stepping into your kitchen and finding a swarm of ants is not a very pleasant experience. And if that’s what you’re looking for to avoid this summer, don’t worry, because experts have revealed five scents to keep ants out of your home, without relying on nasty chemicals.
A great way to get a scent Get rid of ants. While ants don’t ‘sniff’ in the traditional sense, like we do, they use scent to navigate and communicate with each other. Certain odors can irritate and disrupt an ant’s communication and navigation abilities, causing it to avoid the area.
Experts have revealed five scents that ants hate to keep out of your home. Here’s how to use it effectively.
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1. Citrus
When it comes to garden pests, citrus oil (Lemon oil is £4.99 on Amazon) in your closet. Especially seeing as it is too A scent that hates And SpidersAlso. Also, its fresh fragrance will make your home smell beautiful.
(Image credit: Future plc / Mark Scott)
Ants hate citrus. D-limonene, found in lemon and orange peels, is actually toxic to ants in concentrated form—it destroys the waxy coating that protects them. The scent alone is enough to confuse and deter them,’ says Mosh Latifi, co-owner of Ecocare Pest Management.
‘Rub fresh lemon peel directly onto skirting boards, countertops and door thresholds. You can also boil orange peels in water, let it cool and use as a spray around kitchen and garden borders. It smells wonderful to us and horrible to them.’
2. Peppermint
Peppermint oil (£4.99 on Amazon) There are other scents that a variety of garden pests dislike, including Mice and rats. When it comes to ants, you can make a spray from peppermint oil and water and spray it on entry points around the house.
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‘Peppermint oil contains menthol, which interferes with ants’ ability to follow pheromone trails. Because ants rely heavily on these chemical cues for navigation, strong volatile compounds such as menthol can disrupt their tracking and make treated areas less attractive or more difficult to navigate,’ says Daniel Steward, Managing Director. Shield Pest Control.
Tea tree oil has a similar strong scent and can also repel ants, affecting their tracking ability. Overall, these oils are not a permanent solution, but they can help reduce ant activity and discourage them from returning to treated areas when used consistently.’
3. Lavender
One of these The best aromatic shrubsWho doesn’t love the smell of fresh lavender? Even if you don’t want to deter ants, it’s a great idea to add English Lavender (£6.99, Thompson & Morgan) In your garden simply because it smells so divine. or, Dried lavender sachets (£8.99, Amazon) Can be used to prevent ants in the house.
(Image credit: Future plc/Claire Lloyd Davies)
‘Lavender is a scent that ants actively avoid, and we see many homeowners having success with it in the summer when garden ants start finding their way indoors. The linalool compounds in lavender oil are natural insect repellents,’ says Mosch.
Place dried lavender sachets near the entry point, or add lavender essential oil to a diffuser in the room where you have done the activity. For outdoor areas, planting lavender near doors and patios creates a natural line of resistance – it’s especially effective on patios and paths where ants get a foothold.’
4. Cinnamon
Ants hate the smell of cinnamon. Although deliciously sweet to us, it is overpowering for ants – so I suggest you stock up Cinnamon sticks (£4.99, Amazon) And Cinnamon Oil (£4.99, Amazon).
(Image credit: Getty Images / Helene Loik Thomson)
‘Cinnamon deters ants because the strong smell makes it difficult for them to find food and communicate with each other. We’ve seen TikTok videos that suggest mopping your floors with a mixture of cinnamon and water, but I wouldn’t recommend this if you want to keep to yourself. floor in good condition. When you mix water with dry cinnamon, the powder gives off a reddish-brown colour, which can leave stains and brown stains all over your floor,’ says Graeme Shelley, managing director. Factory direct flooring.
Instead, try placing a cinnamon stick (or sprinkle a small amount of dry, powdered cinnamon) near the points where ants are entering your home. But if you have light carpets, avoid using the powder version, as it can also stain.
‘If you’re really keen on the mop method, try adding a few drops of cinnamon essential oil to your mop water instead of the powder – but only if you don’t have pets, as the essential oil version (and overexposure to cinnamon in general) can be toxic to them.’
5. White vinegar
Last but not least is white vinegar. Not only that but there is so much you can do Clean with white vinegarBut its strong scent also deters many garden pests. Although it’s a cupboard staple, it’s such a cleanup essential that I recommend getting a white vinegar refill, such as Minimal’s 5L White Vinegar (£8.25, Amazon), to be on hand.
(Image credit: Future plc/Phil Barker)
‘White vinegar is one of the most accessible tools that people already have at home. It works in two ways: the acetic acid destroys the pheromone trails that the ants use to communicate with each other, and the pungent scent acts as a deterrent in its own right,’ says Mosch.
‘Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and clean kitchen counters, floors and surfaces near entry points. It evaporates quickly, so the smell doesn’t linger for humans, but remains an obstacle in the ant’s path. I would recommend doing this every day during peak season – June to August – when ant activity is highest,’ says Mosch.
pesticide
Pestmatic Smart Spray Ant
An Ideal Home team member has had great success with this spray, even saying the ants haven’t returned since she first tested it last year.
Nikura
Nikura Peppermint Essential Oil
Essential oils are excellent fragrance repellants without containing any harsh chemicals. Mix with water to make a spray.
Minimal
Minimal Eco White Vinegar Cleaning
Everyone should stock up on white vinegar. Not only is it great for cleaning, but many insects hate it.
What is your favorite fragrance?
