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Ants are pests.
They’re annoying, pop up everywhere, and 5 more take the place of every 1 you kill.
But…have no fear.
This non-toxic homemade ant killer will end the madness without exposing everyone else in your home to harmful toxins!
Reasons to Make Your Own DIY Ant Repellent
If you have an ant problem and are looking for a more natural alternative to traditional pesticides, then you’re already aware of the risks involved with harsh chemicals and toxins.
The benefits of homemade ant killer go beyond chemical avoidance though.
Making your own natural ant spray saves time and money. It also gives you full control of what’s in it, so you can cater it to your family’s needs and any allergies you may have.
For the sake of raising awareness, let’s look at some of the worst offenders in store-bought ant sprays.
Not interested in this part? Just scroll down to the recipe below! It’s ok, you won’t hurt my feelings 🙂
Many ant killers contain hydramethylnon – a dangerous pesticide that shouldn’t be used around children, pets, livestock, or even food in the garden.
Continued exposure to high levels of hydramethylnon has been shown to increase the incidence of cancer in rats and is labeled a possible human carcinogen.
Other common chemicals in ant killers are imiprothrin and cypermethrin.
While imiprothrin has a low toxicity to humans, it’s still a neurotoxin, and shouldn’t be used around children.
Cypermethrin is highly toxic not only to ants, but also to bees and fish.
Human exposure can cause skin and eye irritation, incoordination, seizures, itching, loss of bladder control, and more.
But this natural ant killer with baking soda recipe is a great way to get rid of ants in your home without exposing your family to toxic fumes.
Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar Ant Spray
Putting this mixture in a spray bottle makes it easy to spray around the home, in the garden, and even inside the house to prevent entry. It’s easy to make and only requires a few ingredients:
Ingredients
- 2 cups apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 2 TB dishwashing soap
- 3 TB baking soda
- 12 to 18 drops of essential oil – optional
Directions
Carefully mix together all of the ingredients in a large bowl with a spout.
Note: The vinegar and baking soda will react with each other and foam up. Allow the foam to die down before pouring it into a spray bottle.
This spray is completely safe to use both inside and outside of the home.
It’s perfect for spraying on plants in the garden, as a perimeter around the home, and inside your house anywhere ants are.
Before spraying it over plants, however, it’s best to spot test to ensure the plants aren’t sensitive to and damaged by the vinegar.
If you need further natural DIY ideas in your household, we have plenty of soludions, check out this all purpose cleaner, the DIY glass cleaner we recommend or the disinfectant wipes that you can easily prepare at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this spray safe to use on floors?
Unlike many chemical options available on the market, this spray is completely safe to use on floors in the home. Some types of carpet may be sensitive to the vinegar and baking soda, so it’s a good idea to spot test first. Otherwise, this spray is fine to use on hardwoods, vinyl, linoleum, and tile.
Will it kill the ants?
If sprayed directly on the ants, then yes. However, this method of ant control works even better as a deterrent. It’s important to spray it in and around the home on a regular basis to prevent ants from returning.
Do natural ant sprays work as well as chemical sprays?
Some people get frustrated with natural sprays and don’t think they work as well as chemical sprays. They actually do, but they do need to be refreshed, especially after it rains. Natural sprays aren’t just “spray it and forget it.”
Regularly applying the spray to prevent re-entry is the best way to keep ants and other pests at bay.
What is poisonous to ants?
One of the best DIY ant poisons is borax. If you mix it with something sugary, they’ll think it’s food and carry it to their colony where they’ll eat it and die. Diatomaceous earth is another great option. You can sprinkle it around the perimeter of your home to prevent entry.
What can I use to kill ants that is safe for pets?”
This apple cider vinegar recipe works great. If you are out of vinegar and need to deal with an ant infestation now, try mixing dish soap and water (3 parts water, 2 parts dish soap). I like to add essential oils like peppermint and lemon that are natural ant repellents. Spray the ants directly, and they’ll suffocate on the spot.
How do I permanently get rid of ants in my house?
First, you’ll want to get rid of the ants that are already inside. You can do this with our DIY spray above or a soapy water spray. The next step is to create a barrier on the outside of your home. Diatomaceous earth is the cheapest and most natural way to do this.
Last, you want to make the inside of your home as repulsive as possible to ants. That means taking out trash regularly, not leaving food out on counters, and cleaning regularly with vinegar and essential oils (which they can’t stand the smell of).
Editor and researcher at Detox & Prosper. With years of experience creating a healthy home for my family, I now help others eliminate toxins from theirs! Read my story here.
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