Inside: Finally, a homemade ant killer recipe that’s safe to use around kids and pets!
If you live in a warm climate, then chances are you’ve dealt with pesky ants. Whether they’re sneaking onto your countertops or terrorizing your garden, ants are super stubborn and hard to get rid of. That’s why this natural ant repellent spray is so amazing— it’s safe, easy, cheap, and IT WORKS!
Last Valentine’s Day, an army of ants invaded our bedroom. A small box of candy had fallen behind one of our nightstands, unnoticed, and by the time we figured out what the ants were after, they were well settled into their path.
MY LATEST VIDEOSI tried all sorts of things to get rid of them, from bleach to strong commercial cleaning sprays, but they always came back. Then I did a little research for natural remedies and put together this homemade ant killer spray. And it worked!
The best part about this ant killer recipe is that it is safe to use around kids and pets (unlike a lot of the toxic store-bought varieties or other DIY recipes that use borax).
Related: Be sure to try our all-natural Soothing Homemade Itch Relief Spray for Bug Bites too!
What real-life readers have to say about our homemade ant spray:
Worked almost instantly! – MH
It worked for us and was safe for my dog – TL
Sprayed it outside on the deck and so far the ants are gone. – FS
I tried this and it really worked! Thanks for suggesting it! – FR
I just used it and it works GREAT!!! The ants DO NOT like it at all – NF
How to Make Non-Toxic Ant Killer
First, watch the video to see how it’s done, then keep reading for full supply list and step-by-step instructions.
Watch this quick demo video to see how we mix our ant spray without making a mess:
Homemade Ant Killer Supplies
For your convenience, I’ve provided shop-able ad links to products used to make this natural ant repellent spray; read our disclosure policy here.
(Combine in large spray bottle):
- 2 cups apple cider vinegar
- 2 TB dish liquid
- 2 TB baking soda
- Fill the rest with water
*NOTE: Make sure you mix this ant repellent spray over the sink — when you add baking soda to vinegar it creates a lot of foam! I add ingredients slowly, allowing foam to settle before adding more. (Kind of like pouring soda over ice). Another way to avoid a mess is to mix in a bucket and then pour into a spray bottle.
Suggested uses for this homemade ant repellent spray:
- For indoor use — Simply spray over the entire area where ants have made their path and wipe clean. You can spray and let sit over entry points to keep the ants from coming back.
- For outdoor use — Apply a thorough coating over plants and surrounding dirt. I’ve used this spray on our outdoor plants with great success. Ants seemed to enjoy our lime tree, but not anymore! (Note: Always spot test first to make sure that your plant is not sensitive to vinegar)
This is such a simple concoction, but it works so well — and it smells nice! Even better, you don’t have to worry about getting harsh chemicals everywhere (definitely a plus in a house with kids and/or pets!)
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More of our favorite homemade natural living products:
DIY All-Natural Yoga Mat Cleaner
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Last updated on May 16th, 2018 at 06:10 pm
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M says
What about spraying where cats will be? How safe is it?
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Everything is natural and non-toxic– plus I would imagine that cats would have zero interest in eating vinegar 🙂 I had a cat when I first tried this stuff and he could’ve cared less about what I was doing.
Donna says
Hi Stacey/ I came across your blog from back in 2015 on vinegar, dish soap to kill ants. Won’t the dish soap harm pets?
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
The spray dries quickly and you can wipe away any excess. It doesn’t leave a harmful toxic residue like many bug killers made with poison. I would imagine that most pets would stay away from it anyways because the vinegar smell 🙂
Mandy says
Could I use white vinegar?
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
I would imagine that would be fine too– I used apple cider vinegar for my first batch because that’s what I had on hand. Since it worked, I stuck with it 🙂
Stephanie Smith says
This is a relief. I’ve been battling ants in my kitchen the past several days. I’ve been trying to find a treatment that will work and keep them away, but I swear, the second my husband drops a chip they’re on it in seconds. I happen to have all these ingredients as well, so I’ll make this mixture when I get home and give it a shot. Thanks for sharing!www.stewartspestcontrol.com.au
AMANDA says
Ok I’m not sure what I’m going wrong but every time I add baking soda to the apple cider vinegar/water/dawn dish soap mixture it starts foaming/pouring out of the bottle. I put the lid on the bottle and noticed that the bottle was getting round. I loosened the lid and it exploded!??? Please help!!
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Hi Amanda, try adding the baking soda bit by bit. Everytime it starts to foam up, stop and let the bubbles go back down before adding more baking soda. (Kind of like if you were pouring soda into a glass of ice.) I always mix over the sink just in case, but if you go slowly it should be ok.
Cathy says
Yes mine exploded everywhere too! I ended up putting everything in a large bucket to mix then transfer to spray bottle. I live in Ohio, we have had a mild winter. I’m just starting to see some ants, it is earlier than normal so I’m hoping once the weather really warms up I won’t see any! I’ve used the corn meal, sugar, water paste mixture to attract them and they are supposed to take the “food” back to the nest and eventually it kills the colony, but it takes so long, and it’s disgusting how many ants come and cover the mixture. thanks for this recipe!
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
The mixing bucket is a great idea– thanks for sharing Cathy!
Jacob Searcy says
This is a LIFESAVER. I came home and there were ants all over my kitchen, but I just made this in a minute, put it all the way around the door. One more tried to come in and turned right back around. Thanks so much
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Awesome! So glad you were able to keep them out!
Dana says
How often do you have to re-apply it?
Dana says
Also if an ant walks into it after the area has been sprayed will it still die, or does every any need to be hit directly?
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
They usually die when they walk into it, or they will turn around and attempt to avoid the spray. If you hit them directly it works almost instantly.
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
I reapply as needed, if I see ants again. Sometimes it gets them the first time, sometimes they are pretty determined and I might need to apply a second time. It also helps to find where they are entering the house and spray outside as well.
Ashlee carlisle says
I used this on my vegetable garden and it burned my plants ?, looks like they’re dying now .
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
I haven’t heard of this happening with this formula, but maybe it is possible that some plants are more sensitive? I’ve used this spray on my lemon and lime trees, as well as my herb garden with no ill effects.
Wiley says
Vinegar is an effective weed killer when used at full strength, so if tender or sensitive plants are soaked with even a diluted mix of vinegar, they may suffer or die. That shouldn’t happen if the soil is wetted, and most trees or bushes shouldn’t be affected.
Kristie says
Which Dawn is this? Have you always used the red one or tried another.
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Hi Kristie – To be honest, I can’t even remember. I just use whatever I have on hand 🙂
Brenda says
Will this work to keep ants away from ankles and feet and keep them from stinging if sprayed on the skin directly?
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Hi Brenda – I’m not sure how it would affect skin. Nothing in the spray is harmful or toxic. My only concern is that vinegar is acidic and perhaps might irritate sensitive skin if sprayed directly on it. I’ve only used this spray on household items and plants.
Barbara Spillers says
Wanted you to know I made this ant killer and realized it is a great cleaner too. Thanks,
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Wonderful! Glad you found it so helpful!
Terry says
Is this effective for cockroaches as well?
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Hi Terry – I haven’t tested this out specifically on cockroaches. They’re usually pretty fast and resistant to almost everything except smashing, but it could be worth a try!
Cheryl says
So if I mixing this in a bucket how much water am I adding?
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
I would mix all ingredients except water in the bucket, then slowly pour into your squirt bottle. Then you can top off the remaining space in the bottle with water. Hope this helps!