Essential Oils for Ants: A Safe and Natural Way to Get Rid of These Pests
Ants might be tiny, but they can be a huge problem—especially when they decide to move into your house! If you’ve ever walked into your kitchen and seen a trail of ants marching across the floor or crawling around the counters, you’re definitely not alone. Ants are one of the most common household pests, and they become even more of a nuisance during spring and summer.
But did you know you can get rid of ants without using dangerous chemicals? That’s where essential oils for ants come in. These natural oils smell great to us, but ants can’t stand them. Best of all, they’re safer for your family and pets than many chemical ant killers.
In this article, you’ll learn:
Why ants show up more during the spring and summer
Why pesticides in typical ant killers can be dangerous
Which essential oils help keep ants away
Simple and safe essential oil recipes you can make at home to get rid of ants
Let’s dive in!
Why Ants Are a Bigger Problem in Spring and Summer
Have you ever noticed that you rarely see ants in the winter, but they seem to appear out of nowhere once the weather warms up? That’s no coincidence. Ants are more active in the spring and summer because they’re looking for food, water, and a place to build their nests.
Here are a few reasons why ants are such a problem during these warmer seasons:
Ant colonies become more active: In the winter, ants go into a sort of rest mode underground to stay warm. When spring comes, they “wake up” and start searching for food and water to support their growing colonies.
They’re looking for food in your home: If your kitchen has crumbs on the floor or spills that weren’t cleaned up, ants can smell it from far away. Even a few drops of juice can attract dozens (or hundreds!) of ants. (In the winter months, ants don’t need as much food because their metabolism slows down.)
They need water: Ants get thirsty, too! If your house has leaky faucets, pet water bowls, or damp areas, that can attract ants as well. (They don’t need your water in the winter because their colonies are often slightly moist so they stay hydrated.)
Why Using Pesticides Can Be Dangerous
A lot of people try to fight ants by using chemical ant sprays and traps. Sure, these products might kill the ants, but they can also be dangerous for you, your family, and your pets.
Here’s why:
Many ant sprays and baits include toxic chemicals. These can be harmful if they’re touched or breathed in, especially by kids or pets.
Pesticides don’t just kill ants—they can hurt good bugs like bees and butterflies, and they can also pollute the environment.
Some pesticides can build up in your home over time, especially if you use them often.
Because of these risks, more and more people are choosing natural ways to get rid of ants—and essential oils are one of the best options.
Why Essential Oils?
Essential oils are natural oils that come from plants. They are usually made by steaming or pressing parts of the plant—like the leaves, flowers, or bark—to capture the plant’s scent and flavor.
Some essential oils smell really good (like lavender or peppermint), but to ants, many of these smells are too strong or irritating, and they stay far away from them. That’s why essential oils for ants are so helpful—they repel ants naturally, without hurting you or the planet.
Safe Ant-Killing Products That Use Essential Oils
If you want to get rid of ants without using toxic sprays, you can find products at the store that use essential oils instead of harmful chemicals. These products are usually labeled as “natural” or “non-toxic.” They might include ingredients like:
Peppermint oil
Lemongrass oil
Tea tree oil
Clove oil
Cedarwood oil
You can also make your own ant repellent at home using just a few ingredients and essential oils (we’ll show you how in a minute!).
Top Essential Oils to Kill and Repel Ants
Here are some of the best essential oils for ants—and why they work so well:
1. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is one of the strongest and most effective oils for repelling ants. Its cool, minty smell is too intense for ants, so they avoid areas where it’s used.
2. Tea Tree Oil
This oil has a strong, medicinal smell and is also antibacterial. Ants hate it and will avoid it completely. It’s great for cleaning, too!
3. Lemongrass Oil
Lemongrass has a citrusy scent that ants don’t like. It also confuses their sense of smell, making it harder for them to follow trails left by other ants.
4. Clove Oil
Clove oil doesn’t just repel ants—it can actually kill them. It contains a compound called eugenol, which is toxic to ants (but much safer for humans in small amounts).
5. Cedarwood Oil
Cedarwood oil works by affecting the pheromones ants use to communicate. This confuses them and keeps them from organizing properly.
Essential Oil Recipes to Kill Ants Naturally
Want to make your own natural ant killer at home? These recipes are simple, affordable, and safe to use around your house.
Ant-Repelling Spray
This spray keeps ants away from your windows, doors, and kitchen counters.
You’ll need:
10 drops of peppermint oil
10 drops of tea tree oil
1 tablespoon of white vinegar (optional but helpful)
1 cup of water
A spray bottle
Instructions:
Mix all the ingredients in the spray bottle.
Shake well before each use.
Spray along doorways, windowsills, and any ant trails you see.
Ant-Killing Powder
This dry mixture is great for cracks and corners where ants like to sneak in.
You’ll need:
1/2 cup of baking soda
1/2 cup of cornstarch
10 drops of clove oil
5 drops of lemongrass oil
Instructions:
Mix the baking soda and cornstarch in a bowl.
Add the essential oils and stir well.
Sprinkle the powder in corners, behind appliances, and near cracks in the floor.
Essential Oil Cotton Balls
Use these in places where you can’t spray—like drawers, closets, or under the sink.
You’ll need:
A handful of cotton balls
10–15 drops of your favorite essential oil (peppermint, tea tree, or clove work best)
Instructions:
Add a few drops of oil to each cotton ball.
Place them in problem areas where you’ve seen ants.
Replace them every 5–7 days.
Tips to Keep Ants Away for Good
Essential oils are great at keeping ants away, but there are also some basic things you can do every day to make your home less inviting to ants.
* Clean up crumbs and spills right away
* Store food in sealed containers
* Take out the trash regularly
* Fix leaky faucets and clean up damp areas
* Seal cracks around doors and windows
Doing these things along with using essential oils for ants can help keep your home ant-free all year long!
Final Thoughts: Say Goodbye to Ants the Natural Way
Ants may be small, but they sure know how to take over your kitchen, especially in the spring and summer. The good news is that you don’t need to use harmful chemicals to stop them. With the power of essential oils for ants, you can safely and naturally keep these pesky invaders out of your home.
Whether you’re making a homemade spray, a powder, or just using scented cotton balls, essential oils like peppermint, clove, and lemongrass are excellent tools to fight off ants without putting your health or the environment at risk.
So the next time you see a trail of ants, skip the toxic spray and try essential oils instead. Your home (and the planet!) will thank you.
References:
National Pest Management Association – “Ant Control and Extermination Information”
https://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/ants/
University of Kentucky Entomology – “Ant Control for Householders”
Ant Control for Householders | Entomology
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – “Assessing Human Health Risk from Pesticides”
Chemically-related Groups of Active Ingredients | US EPA
ScienceDirect – Nerio, Luz S. et al. “Repellent Activity of Essential Oils.”
Repellent activity of essential oils: A review - ScienceDirect
PubMed – Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Insecticidal and repellent effects of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil against Lucilia cuprina - PubMed
Wellness Mama – “How to Get Rid of Ants Naturally”
How to Get Rid of Ants Naturally | Wellness Mama
Veda Oils – “5 Simple DIY Spray Recipes for Ant Control”
Peppermint Oil For Ants Control - 5 Simple Spray Ideas – VedaOils