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.
I 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 all-natural ant repellent spray. And it worked!
Natural Ant Repellent Spray Supplies
Affiliate links provided for your convenience in creating 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.
Watch this quick demo video to see how we mix this ant spray without making a mess:
I’ve used this spray on our outdoor plants with great success. Ants seemed to enjoy our lime tree, but not anymore! (Always spot test to make sure that your plant is not sensitive to vinegar).
Suggested uses for natural 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. It is plant safe, but the bugs will stay away!
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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What about spraying where cats will be? How safe is it?
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.
Could I use white vinegar?
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 🙂
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
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!!
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.
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!
The mixing bucket is a great idea– thanks for sharing Cathy!
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
Awesome! So glad you were able to keep them out!
How often do you have to re-apply it?
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?
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.
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.
I used this on my vegetable garden and it burned my plants ?, looks like they’re dying now .
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.
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.
Which Dawn is this? Have you always used the red one or tried another.
Hi Kristie – To be honest, I can’t even remember. I just use whatever I have on hand 🙂
Will this work to keep ants away from ankles and feet and keep them from stinging if sprayed on the skin directly?
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.