Natural Repellents for Black Ants

Certain scents are abrasive to ants and serve as a useful deterrent.

Ants are attracted to specific smells and naturally repelled by other scents. If you have a problem with black ants in your home or garden, using natural items with a harsh scent will repel the ants and force them to seek shelter elsewhere.

Repellents

Mint leaves, cloves, cucumber, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, bay leaves, coffee grounds and even citrus oil naturally repel ants. Lemon juice and garlic are also natural repellents.

Usage

For dried items, such as the cinnamon or cloves, sprinkle the herbs or spices around your doors, windows and any other entry points for the home. For liquid items, including the citrus oil, dip a cotton ball or string in the liquid and lay that around the entry points.

Considerations

Leave the repellents in areas where ants have access to open food containers, such as your pet food. The scent of the repellent overwhelms the scent the ants smell of the food.

References

• Eartheasy: Natural Insect Pest Control
• Gomestic: Six Natural Ant Repellents