While some of the most annoying things in life seem trivial in the grand scheme of things, a home with ants is definitely one of those because we know there are far worse things than having ants. But it does become a bigger problem once the ants settle in. If not dealt with it seems almost impossible to remove them entirely, without using modern chemicals to rid your home of ants then of course that brings with it another set of complications especially In a house with kids and pets. Chemical-filled solutions are just not acceptable, so lets find out what you need to rid your home of ants instantly with natural options.

1. Sidewalk Chalk Works all the Time ~ There are plenty of fancy chalks out there specially designed to keep out pests. But what many homeowners do not know is that a simple line from the daily chalk that you use on boards is both safe and helps drive away ants. Once again it is the story of the chalk breaking up the chemical scent path of ants and even though this might look a touch ungainly, the idea never fails to give you results.

2. Baking Soda ~ This is undoubtedly an explosive solution to your ant problem. Mix a bit of sugar to the baking soda to encourage ants and make sure they taste your special mix. Baking soda disturbs the digestive process of ants and soon their insides will be on the outside and even if that sounds bad, you can rest assured that the pest problem is all but gone. Depending on the size of your pest problem you might need quite a bit, so you can get this 5lb bag of baking soda from Amazon for less than $8.

3. Lemon Juice ~ Just like the peel of citrus fruits, you can go a step further by just spraying lemon juice wherever you find an infestation. Lemon juice also contains citric acid and its strong smell makes sure ants just cannot thread in the same area. An easy way to do this is also by soaking some cotton balls in lemon juice and placing them at door entrances, window sill, and other openings to ensure ants stay out forever.

4. Peppermint Essential Oil ~ If you love gardening and the smell of fresh peppermint, then you are in luck as a few of these plants in the garden can make a big difference indeed. For those who are not avid gardeners, spraying a bit of peppermint oil mixed with water around the house can do the trick. Once again, this is a trick that ensures ants simply cannot communicate with one another to form that annoying line that eats away at all things sweet in your home. You can get this 4oz bottle on peppermint essential oil that will not only keep away pests but can be used in a diffuser too!

5. Dry Peels of Citrus Fruits ~The strong smell of citric acid and other organic acids from dried peels of citrus fruits is strong enough to keep ants away. Be it oranges, lemons, or anything else citrus, these dried peels will kill a few of the ants and easily drive away all the others. If you don’t have fresh fruit on hand frequently, you can easily substitute this with citrus essential oils. You can use any of these oils lemon, sweet orange, and tangerine while also giving your home a fresh beautiful fragrance.

6. Coffee Grounds ~ The most effective way to get rid of ants without completely killing them is by removing their chemical communication trail. A smart and fragrant way to do this is by unleashing the aroma of fresh coffee grounds. Much like those peels of citrus fruits, this is definitely a smell we can live it and the ants will hate. If you use coffee pods you can even open those out and scoop the used coffee grinds. A smart solution that works in more ways than one!

7. Bay Leaves ~ Bay leaves might seem innocuous, but they can be powdered up and used to kill ants almost immediately and to keep them away forever. You can sprinkle dried bay leaf powder in the garden or outdoors as well and it is easy to see the results almost instantly. Another great pet-safe and child-friendly way to keep out ants!

8. Vinegar ~ While ants are attracted to many substances or products you have in your home, vinegar is not one of them. The strong odor from the vinegar will serve as a permanent deterrent to the pests. Mix equal parts of water and white vinegar into a spray bottle, then spray the mixture onto the areas of your home where the ants are congregating or the areas that are most susceptible to ants. If you are dealing with a serious infestation, you can swap out white vinegar for a stronger solution with apple cider vinegar.

9. Cinnamon Ground, Sticks, Oil ~ Cinnamon in various forms is an option for killing ants as well as repelling them in the future. Ground cinnamon can be sprinkled on the ants’ path or around an anthill to kill them. A few drops of cinnamon essential oils mixed with water and sprayed onto ant paths, as well as around cracks, windows, or doors also works as a deterrent. Even leaving cinnamon sticks in commonly infested areas like corners of your kitchen can work.