Ants in your yard can be a real hassle, especially fire ants, which can cause painful stings. While many people use chemical pesticides, you might prefer to keep your lawn and garden safe for kids and pets. Luckily, you can get rid of ants using simple, chemical-free methods with things you already have at home. This guide will show you how to do it naturally and effectively.
The Greenhouse Effect: A Simple, Natural Solution
The main idea behind this chemical-free method is to make the ants’ home too hot for them to live in. By using sunlight to heat up an ant mound, you can raise the temperature so much that the ants and their larvae can’t survive. This greenhouse effect usually makes the colony leave your yard or die off. The best part is that it’s safe, easy, and uses things you already have at home.
This method works best on sunny days, especially in the hot summer when the sun is strongest. When you cover an ant hill, you create a very hot spot, with temperatures inside reaching 110°F to 130°F. (A Natural Way to Eliminate Ants Using a Proven Scientific Approach, n.d.) The heat and dryness make it impossible for ants to survive. (A Natural Way to Eliminate Ants Using a Proven Scientific Approach, 2024)
15 Household Items That Eliminate Ants
You don’t need to buy anything special to get rid of ants. Here are eight common items you might already have at home that you can use to make mini-greenhouses. Just pick something that fits the size of the ant mound.
1. Vinegar
Vinegar isn’t just for cooking—it’s also a strong ant repellent. (Does vinegar attract more ants?, 2025) Ants really dislike the smell of white vinegar, which covers up their scent trails and makes it hard for them to find their way. (What does white vinegar do to ants?, 2025)
To create a simple and effective deterrent, mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Apply the solution to areas where you’ve seen ant activity, such as countertops, baseboards, windowsills, and any known entry points. This natural method not only helps keep your home free of ants but also ensures a safe environment for your family and pets, away from the risks of chemical pesticides.
2. Citrus
Citrus fruits like lemons and oranges smell great to us, but ants can’t stand their scent. (Repellency of Citrus Fruits Against Ants, 2025) The strong, acidic smell of citrus messes up the pheromone trails ants use to get around. (Citrus Peel Infusions, n.d.)
You can use citrus in a few ways. Mix lemon or orange juice with the same amount of water and put it in a spray bottle. Spray it where you see ants. You can also put citrus peels near entry points, on shelves, or in garden beds. This keeps ants away and makes your home smell fresh. Just change the peels every few days as they dry out.
3. Black Pepper
The black pepper in your spice rack can do more than add flavor to food—it can help you get rid of ants. (Natural Recipe to Get Rid of Ants, 2021) Its strong, spicy smell also disrupts the trails ants follow.
For a simple repellent, sprinkle ground black pepper behind appliances, along baseboards, and in the corners of your pantry where you’ve noticed ants. If you prefer a spray, mix one teaspoon of black pepper with 1 cup of water in a spray bottle and apply it to areas where ants are present. This natural and non-toxic solution is a safe way to manage ant problems without resorting to harsh chemicals.
4. Peppermint Oil
While many people find the scent of peppermint refreshing and invigorating, ants find it overwhelming. (Scents That Will Keep Ants Out Of Your Home For Good, 2023) The potent menthol aroma of peppermint essential oil masks the smell of food and disrupts their ability to follow pheromone trails. (7 Effective Natural Deterrents to Keep Ants Away, 2023)
To use peppermint oil, add 15 to 20 drops to a cup of water in a spray bottle. Shake it and spray around doors, windows, and cracks where ants come in. You can also soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and put them in cabinets or drawers. This keeps ants away and makes your home smell nice.
5. Cayenne Pepper
Like black pepper, cayenne pepper’s spicy smell is a strong ant repellent. (What are Effective Natural Ant Repellents?, 2025) The capsaicin in cayenne irritates ants and breaks up the scent trails they leave for each other. (Does Cayenne Pepper Keep Ants Away?, n.d.)
You can create an ant barrier by sprinkling powdered cayenne pepper along ant trails, near entry points, or around their nests. For a liquid solution, mix a teaspoon of cayenne pepper with water in a spray bottle and apply it directly to areas with ant traffic. Be careful when handling cayenne pepper, as it can irritate your skin and eyes.
6. Thyme
Thyme is a fragrant herb that’s great for cooking and also keeps ants away. (Does creeping thyme attract ants? – The Environmental Literacy Council, n.d.) Its strong, earthy smell is nice for people, but stops ants from finding food and talking to each other.
You can use both fresh and dried thyme to repel ants. Sprinkle dried thyme leaves on windowsills, in corners, and along baseboards. For a more concentrated solution, you can create a thyme-infused spray. Simply steep a handful of thyme leaves in boiling water, let it cool, and then transfer the liquid to a spray bottle. Mist this fragrant solution in ant-prone areas for a safe and natural defense against ants.
7. Lavender
Lavender is known for its calming scent, but ants don’t like it at all. Its strong smell works as a natural repellent and helps keep ants out of your home. (Cleaning experts recommend mopping your floor with this £1 spice rack staple to keep ants out of your home this summer, 2025)
You can use lavender in two simple ways. Put dried lavender in closets, drawers, and near entry points to keep ants out. Or, mix 15 to 20 drops of lavender oil with a cup of water in a spray bottle and spray it along windows, doors, and other problem areas. This will make your home smell great and keep ants away.
8. Plastic Cups or Bottles
For small, new ant hills, you can use a clear plastic cup or a cut-off soda bottle.
- To use, put the cup or bottle over the ant mound on a sunny day. The clear plastic traps sunlight and heats the soil underneath. (Soil Solarization – Gardening Solutions, n.d.) If it’s windy, put a small rock on top to hold it down. This also helps you reuse plastic items.
9. Aluminum Pie Pans
If you have leftover pie pans from dessert, don’t throw them away.
- To use, put an aluminum pie pan upside down over a small or medium ant hill. The shiny surface traps heat well. (Physics-02 (Keph_201106), n.d.) Pie pans are inexpensive and can be reused for a long time.
10. Seedling Starter Domes
These small, clear plastic domes are made to create a greenhouse effect for seedlings, so they work well for this method too.
- To use, put a dome over a medium-sized ant hill in a sunny, grassy spot. Close the vents on top to keep in the heat. These domes are cheap and can be used on several mounds at once.
11. Buckets and Plastic Containers
For bigger, older ant mounds, you’ll need something that covers more area.
- To use, place a black plastic bucket over the mound. The dark color absorbs more heat. (What Color Reflects Heat The Best?, 2025) Leave it there for 48 to 72 hours. This works best on gravel or places where you don’t mind if the grass gets damaged. Large, clear plastic containers also work.
12. Trash Bags
A black trash bag is a handy and versatile tool for getting rid of ants.
- To use, cut a piece of heavy black trash bag just bigger than the ant mound. Lay it flat over the mound and hold down the edges with rocks or soil. The black plastic will soak up heat and kill the ants underneath. (Are ants sensitive to temperature?, n.d.)
13. Pond Liner
If the ant colony spreads out instead of forming a mound, you’ll need a bigger piece of plastic.
- To use, cut a piece of black pond liner big enough to cover the whole area with ants. This strong material absorbs and holds heat well. It works best in spots that get some sun.
14. Humidity Dishes
Small plastic saucers that go under plant pots are great for small ant problems.
- To use, put the dish upside down over the ant hill. This is a simple and discreet way to handle small mounds early.
15. Water Bottles
Like soda bottles, a standard 16-ounce water bottle can be cut in half and placed over a tiny, new mound.
- To use, cut the bottle, put it over the ant hill, and add a weight if needed. This is a simple, free solution.
How to Repair Grass After Treatment
These heat-trapping methods might leave a small bare spot on your lawn for a short time. Don’t worry, the grass will grow back quickly with a little care.
Step 1: Revitalize the Soil
After the ants are gone, the soil might be dry and packed down. Loosen it a bit and add a small handful of composted manure, like Black Cow. Gently mix it into the top layer. This will help your grass grow back faster.
Step 2: Let it Grow
When mowing, raise the mower blades to the highest setting over the bare spot, or skip mowing that area for a week or two. Letting the grass grow taller helps it fill in the patch faster. In less than two weeks, the spot will hardly be noticeable.
Your Natural Pest Control Plan
Getting rid of ants without chemicals takes a little time, but it works well in the long run. Sometimes, ants move a few feet away after the first try. If that happens, just repeat the process. Usually, after two or three times, the ants leave your yard for good.
If you use this simple heat method each time you spot a new mound, you can keep your yard free of ants and safe for your family, pets, and the environment.
