- lemon
While this method doesn’t seem as effective as vinegar and water, lemon juice and lemon essential oil are great for deterring ants and smell much better (assuming you don’t like the smell of vinegar). Mix a few tablespoons of pure lemon juice or about 10 drops of lemon essential oil in a small spray bottle filled with water and apply liberally to areas where you see ants. The lemon will disrupt the ants’ path and disperse them.
While this works very well for a short-term solution, as soon as the lemon scent disappears, the ants will resume their search for whatever attracted them in the first place. As such, you may need to reapply often until you know what to expect.
If you don’t currently have an ant problem in your home, you can deter these insects from doing harm by cutting a lemon in half and rubbing the juice around potential entry points to keep ants at bay.
Get more tips on how to best use our most popular essential oils with our 14 magical ways to use lemon essential oil for health, beauty and your home!
- Peppermint Oil Ant Repellent Spray
Ants really hate the smell of peppermint, probably because it interferes with their ability to communicate via pheromone markings. While growing peppermint around your home is one possible method of using this popular herb to deter ants (and other pests), you can also mix a solution of peppermint essential oil and water – about 10 drops in a small bottle of water – to spray on windowsills and door frames or directly on marching ant lines to get rid of these pests. At the same time, your home will be filled with the delicious scent of mint! It’s a win-win solution!
