You can get rid of ants by using cinnamon powder, sticks or its essential oil; however, this spice is unable to kill them, but rather tends to drive them away until they find another home. Most natural remedies work similarly, but you can try a wide variety to see which one works best for you.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Remove them with Cinnamon
Step 1. Spray some near the entrance doors
The simplest way to use cinnamon is to take the one you have in the pantry. Pour a handful or two into areas where ants enter the house. Cinnamon is so strong that it destroys any odorous traces left by insects, so that they can no longer find the same path.
Step 2. Create a barrier
Instead of just spreading it, you can use cinnamon to create a line that blocks the passage of ants. If you see them in certain areas, you can use a cotton swab to define an impassable border by rubbing it into the cinnamon and drawing a single thin line.
Step 3. Use cinnamon essential oil
If you want to get more results with this spice, you can use it in the form of an essential oil rather than a powder, as it is generally more potent; it is enough to soak a cotton swab in the oil and rub it in the areas where you have seen ants.
- Also this oil, like some others, is able to repel ants; the simplest way to apply it at home is to prepare a solution with water that you can spray in areas where the presence of ants is greater.
- Start by diluting 60ml of vodka in an equal dose of water. Alcohol helps keep the mixture homogeneous; however, if you don't have it available, you can replace it with another 60ml of water and shake well before use.
- Add the essential oil; add 20-25 drops of cinnamon oil and shake the solution well.
- You can try other types of oils; you need 15 drops of tea tree, 15 of mint and 7 of citrus oil (such as orange, lemon or lime); you can eventually replace the citrus fruit with three drops of clove oil. Remember to shake thoroughly.
- However, keep in mind that if you want to use this remedy in an area where you prepare food or eat, you need to replace tea tree oil with mint oil.
Step 4. Place cinnamon sticks
Another solution that creates less clutter is to arrange the sticks instead of the powder; place them near house entrances or in areas where you have noticed the presence of ants. Cinnamon sticks are on sale in the spice department of supermarkets.
Method 2 of 2: Using other Natural Remedies
Step 1. Try white vinegar
It has a rather acrid smell that ants tend to avoid. Pour it into a spray bottle and spread it in the kitchen, it's a perfectly safe substance; you simply have to clean the counter and then gently spray the vinegar. Let it dry, its smell dissipates quickly.
- In fact, if you spray it directly on the ants, you can kill them.
- Apply it again if you see other insects.
Step 2. Spread the diatomaceous earth
It has been used for years as a natural deterrent to get rid of ants, as it is a non-toxic substance and therefore safe when used near children and pets. However, be sure to take the safe variety for ingestion and not the one that is usually used for pool filters; it is sufficient to spray it in the areas of the house where you have noticed the presence of these insects.
Step 3. Pour the boiling water over the heaps outside
This is an alternative method of reducing the number of ants; boiling water does not eliminate the entire colony, but kills about 2/3 of the insects present. Boil about 12 liters of water for each large anthill you see.
Be very cautious when opting for this remedy, as you could burn yourself with water and steam
Step 4. Spread some bay leaves
It represents an ancient but still effective method; you can find these leaves in the spice department of supermarkets and they are usually whole (but you can also buy them chopped). Distribute them in places where you have seen ants, which at this point many times never come back.
