6 Homemade Ant Killer Sprays and Traps That Don't Use Chemicals

Nobody likes finding a trail of ants inside their home. Depending on the type you have, they might simply be a nuisance—or, worse, a destructive force. But not all of these unwanted visitors need to be eliminated with harsh chemicals. There are several homemade ant killer options that can stop these critters in their tracks, experts say. And as an added bonus, you probably have all of the ingredients you need to make them on hand.

Vinegar

According to Vincent Luca, a licensed pest control technician and the owner of On Demand Pest Control, you can create a homemade ant killer solution that stars vinegar—one of the most versatile natural cleaning ingredients there is.

As for how it effectively mitigates your pest problem? "Its strong odor disrupts the ants' pheromone trails, which are their means of communication and navigation," Luca says. "By effectively disrupting these trails, the vinegar solution makes it challenging for ants to find their way around and communicate with their fellow colony members." That means once you've gotten rid of the first wave of ants, more will have a harder time finding their way into and around your space.

Here's what you'll need to make this homemade ant killer:

• 2 cups vinegar (both apple cider and white vinegar work)
• 2 tablespoons liquid dish soap
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• Water

"Start by combining the vinegar, dish liquid, and baking soda powder in a large bowl, gently stirring the ingredients together," Luca says. Pour the solution into an industrial spray bottle once you're done mixing, adding enough water to the mixture to fill the bottle.

Dish Soap and Water

Is there anything dish soap can't do? You can turn to this kitchen workhorse as you battle the ants in your house, says Jeremy McReynolds, a certified commercial pesticide applicator and New York compliance manager for TruGreen's technical team. Mix 2 ounces of dish soap and 32 ounces of water in a spray bottle; use it to spray and remove the pheromone trail left behind by the ants. It also kills them on contact: "Dish soap sprayed directly on ants will kill ants by penetrating their exoskeleton which suffocates them," he says.

Baking Soda and Boric Acid

This easy-to-use homemade ant killer is a trap, not a spray. To make it, gather the following supplies, says Luca:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons boric acid
• Small plastic container with a lid

"To begin, carefully stir these ingredients together in the container, ensuring that they are thoroughly mixed," he says. Add a sprinkle of baking soda to the trap to make it more effective. "Baking soda acts as a powerful deodorizer, which masks the scent of the [baking soda] and makes the trap even more enticing to ants."

Once the ingredients have been combined, set up your trap. "Take a pair of scissors or a knife and carefully poke several small holes in the lid of the plastic container," he says; these holes act as an entry point for the ants. Place the trap wherever you see ant activity.

Ground Pepper

If your ant problem is in your kitchen, you already likely have a powerful non-chemical solution at your fingertips: ground pepper. "Ground pepper sprinkled under kitchen and bathroom cabinets, and behind appliances can deter ants. They find the smell irritating," McReynolds says.

Baking Soda and Sugar

This DIY ant trap lures ants with one of their favorite food sources: sugar. To make this ant killer, Luca says you'll need to mix equal parts confectioners' sugar and baking soda in a cup. "Using confectioners' sugar is essential in this case. Regular sugar can easily be separated by ants from the baking soda," he says.

Once you've mixed those two together, add another touch of sweetness to really draw the ants in. A dollop of honey, a spoonful of jam, or another high-sugar spread all work.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is another ant-fighting ingredient that you can use to create a spray; simply combine 1 part lemon juice and 3 parts water. "This homemade repellent can also be used as an all-purpose spray around your home," Luca says. It can be utilized preventively on door frames, windowsills, and other entry points to keep ants away—and don't toss away the peels when your done. The rinds contain d-limonene, which kills ants on contact; place the peels near known entry points to exterminate the pests before they can track further into your home.

"The strong scent of lemon will help to repel ants and keep them from making their way inside," Luca says. "Not only is this method effective, but it is also safe to use around children and pets, making it an ideal solution for those looking for a natural alternative to traditional ant control methods."

A Word of Caution

According to McReynolds, it's important to remember that non-chemical doesn't mean non-toxic or safe. "Be careful with some of the DIY recipes out there. Borax and essential oils can be harmful to pets if ingested," he says. 

Also, you'll want to be cautious of where you're using some of these DIY solutions, since some ingredients can harm certain surfaces. You wouldn't want to use vinegar on granite countertops, for example). Test any DIY sprays or solutions on a small or inconspicuous area first and always keep these homemade ant killers out of the reach of children and pets.