You can use powder, oil, or cinnamon sticks to repel ants. Cinnamon may not kill ants. Cinnamon can only prevent ants from coming in certain directions, but these animals can usually find other ways. Most natural ingredients work the same way. You can try different ingredients and find the one that works best for you.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Repel Ants with Cinnamon
Step 1. Sprinkle on the driveway
The simplest way to use cinnamon, is to make use of what's in your kitchen cupboard. Sprinkle a pinch or two of cinnamon where the ants enter the house. Cinnamon is so strong that it interferes with the ants' pathways so they don't come in the same way.
Step 2. Create a border line
You can also use cinnamon to make lines that ants can't cross, instead of just sprinkling them. If you find ants in a certain area, try using a cotton swab to draw a line there. Rub the cinnamon and smooth it out to form a thin line.
Step 3. Use cinnamon essential oil
If you want to make more use of cinnamon, try using its essential oil, which tends to be stronger, and not just the powder. Just dip a cotton swab in the oil and then wipe it over the area where you found the ants.
- Several other essential oils can also repel ants. The easiest way to disperse essential oils at home is to dissolve them in water. After that, you can spray it in the area of the house where you find the ants.
- Start by mixing 1/4 cup (60 ml) of water and 1/4 cup (60 ml) of vodka. Vodka is useful to help dissolve oil and water. However, if you don't have vodka available, you can replace it with water (1/4 cup more) and then shake the solution thoroughly before each use.
- Add essential oil. Try adding 20-25 drops of cinnamon oil. Beat until smooth.
- Try using other essential oils. You will need 15 drops of tea tree oil, 15 drops of peppermint oil, and 7 drops of citrus oil (such as orange, lemon, or lime oil). You can use 3 drops of clove oil instead of citrus oil. Beat until smooth.
- However, if you want to use this oil solution around food, replace the tea tree oil with more peppermint oil.
Step 4. Place the cinnamon sticks
A cleaner option is to use cinnamon sticks instead of the powder. Simply place cinnamon sticks on the entrances of any ants you find. You can find cinnamon sticks at traditional markets or spice racks at convenience stores.
Method 2 of 2: Using Other Natural Ingredients
Step 1. Try using white vinegar
Vinegar has a strong aroma that is often avoided by ants. Pour some vinegar into a spray bottle and use it around the kitchen. This method is very safe. Just clean your kitchen counter first, then spray some vinegar on it. The vinegar smell will soon be gone.
- In fact, spraying vinegar directly on the ants can kill them.
- Spray vinegar again if you still find ants.
Step 2. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth has long been used as a natural ant repellent. This material is non-toxic so it is safe to use around children and pets. However, be sure to purchase food-safe diatomaceous earth, not the one used to filter ponds. After that, sprinkle diatomaceous earth around where you found the ants.
Step 3. Pour boiling water over the mound outside the house
One way to help reduce the number of ants is to use very hot water. While it probably won't kill an entire colony of ants, boiling water can kill about two-thirds of them. Try pouring about 10 liters of boiling water on each large mound of ants you find.
Be careful using this method. You can hurt your skin if you get splashed with water or steam from boiling water
Step 4. Spread the bay leaves
Another traditional ant repellent ingredient is bay leaf. You can find bay leaves on your kitchen spice rack and they are usually sold whole (but there is also a powdered form). Place the bay leaf where you found the ants. Often, the ants will stay away from the area.
