When you think of how to get rid of ants in your home, there are several options to choose from. Most of these ant control solution are available commercially. In fact, most have harmful chemicals that could pose health risk to you and your pets. But you can go the natural way to get rid of the ants with essential oils.
What essential oil get rid of ants? Do you know essential oils are just as effective as commercial insecticides? Essential oils are known natural solutions to control ant or pest infestation. Naturally, they have repellent properties that can keep ants away from your home.
Essential oils are among the best organic and non-toxic ways to deter or eliminate ant infestation. Among the best essential oils for getting rid of ants are patchouli and cedarwood essential oil.
This guide will provide a detailed information on how you can use essential oils for ant elimination.
Do Essential Oils Kill Ants?
Most of the essential oils are naturally effective to get rid of ants. They have an amazing repellent and insecticidal properties. To kill ants with essential oils, treat the infested area with citrus, cedarwood, clove or patchouli oil. The oils have chemicals in them that not only get rid of the ants but also helps in stopping re-infestation.
Are Ants Attracted to Essential Oils?
What makes essential oils effective is their strong odor which disrupts their pheromone trails making it hard for them to communicate. The oils are used to distract the ants and keep them away from your house.
Basically, ants are not attracted to essential oils but rather repelled by their smell. Note, some insects or ants are attracted to them. Take this case, lemon oil repel ants but attract mealybugs, thrips, and Japanese beetles. Cinnamon oil can deter ants but can attract some ants such as thrips and bugs.
Types of Essential Oils that Repel Ants
Here is a list of essential oils that can repel and stop ant infestation.
Peppermint oil has menthol that works as ant repellent. Whenever you get ant bite or itching, you can use it to relieve the itching and bite. Peppermint essential oil has a strong odor that keeps the ants away.
Apply the peppermint oil in all ants’ access points. You can also soak cotton balls in the oil and place it kitchen cabinets where the ants are likely to visit in search of food or water.
Clove leaf essential oil is another natural repellent that works best to deter ants from infesting your home. It has Eugenol which is active to get rid of the ants away. Other than ants, it can also be used to get rid of wasps, fleas, bugs, flies, cockroaches and many other insects. The natural smell in this oil is powerful to deter ants from invading your home. You can also dilute the oil to make an effective spray for pest and ant control.
The active ingredient in cinnamon essential oil called cinnamaldehyde makes it an effective oil to deal with ant and pets infestation in your home. You can apply the oil directly on all ants’ entry point or make use it as a spray to keep the ants away.
Patchouli essential is an excellent natural oil that you can use to get rid of ant infestation in your yard or house. The strong odor keeps the ants away from your home and prevent a reoccurrence of ants’ infestation. Apply it on the doors, windows and any other access points.
You only need few drops of cedarwood to get rid of the ants. To stop infestation of ants in your home, apply cedarwood in all ants’ access points. Soak cotton balls and place in ally the entry points of your house. Alternatively, with the help of a diffuser, you can apply the oil to treat the infested area.
Naturally, citrus fruits such as lemons, oranges and grapefruits are deterrents to ants. They contain active compounds d-limonene which is not only toxic but also have a strong smell that ants tend to avoid. Apply the citrus essential oil on all the entry points that ants use to prevent them from infestation.
Other than Tea tree essential oil being eco-friendly and non-toxic it is also effective in preventing ants from infesting your home. It can also be used to eliminate other pests such as fleas, ticks and many other pests. Apply the oil directly on all access points of the ants to get rid of the ants.
Lemongrass is a unique ant repellent. It has high citronellla in high content. When applied it disrupts the ant pheromone trails keeping your house safe from ants’ infestation. You can apply the oil on the kitchen counters and cabinets. Use it create a barrier for the ants to come into your house by applying it on all entry points of the ants.
What Essential Oil Is Good For Ant Bites?
An itch or ant bite can be annoying. But thanks to essential oils. There are a number of essential oils that can help relieve itch or bite from ants. Some of the essential oils discussed above have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and ant –itching properties that can prevent infections.
The essential to use to relieve itching and pain from ants include tea tree oil, lavender oil, basil oil, etc. apply the essential oils or ointments on the affected area to treat the bites, helping to relieve the pain or itching.
What Essential Oil to use for Fire Ant Bites
Fire ants are known to be aggressive types of ants and they can attack in groups. They bite only when they feel threatened or their space has been threatened. Their bites are the most painful and leave a burning sensation. The bitten area appears red and warm.
Although most of the essential discussed above work but the most recommended oils to relieve the itching and bite area lavender, chamomile, wintergreen oil, basil oil, etc. The oil contain anti-inflammatory, anti-itching and antimicrobial properties.
Your pain or itching will be over when you apply the ointment or diluted sprays. But if you are allergic to the fire ants, seek medical advice to avert any serious health risk.
How to Get Rid of Ants with Essentials Oil
When dealing with ants’ problem, essential oils are one of the most effective natural methods to use. You can directly apply or use them in form of sprays. They are economical and eco-friendly. To get rid of the ant infestation, inspect the infested area, make a plan how you will apply the oils.
We’ve discussed a number of essential oils to use. They include cedarwood, clove bud, or patchouli oil. These oils will help to kill the entire colonies and prevent re-infestation.
Here is how to get rid of ants using essential oils:
1. Inspect the ants’ access point
First, inspect all the possible access points that ants can use to enter your house. Such likely places include windows, doors and other openings that ants can use to enter your house. Follow their trails and look for their nesting points.
2. Application of Essential Oil
Once you identify the ants nesting point, apply the ant repellent essential oils at their entry points and on their trail. Apply a few drops. Soak cotton balls and place them in your kitchen counter, cabinets and other possible nesting areas. For effective results, replace the cotton balls with new soaked cotton balls of essential oils.
3. Prevent re – infestation
To prevent re-infestation, seal all the openings and entry points of ants. Maintain cleanliness and regularly throw away trash. Seal all foods items that can attract ants in your house. Apply ant repellent essential oils in all the access points of ants.
