The Citrusy Scent That'll Make Ants In The House A Thing Of The Past

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Despite their small size, ants can quickly become a big problem once they've found a way inside your house. Most of us know that leaving food out creates a spot where ants will congregate, but excess humidity in the bathroom, gaps underneath your entry doors, and even an infested potted plant are things that make it easy for ants to wander into your home. More than just a nuisance, ants can cause serious issues ranging from contaminated food to electrical damage. Ants will eat almost anything, from sweets in your kitchen to the soap in your shower to the structural wood beams holding up your roof. Although ant infestations are easy to identify when you find a line of them crawling across your countertops, it's important to be on the lookout for other telltale signs like dirt hills or nests around your lawn and patio, wood shavings below your window sills, or discarded wings along your baseboards. There are a variety of ant poisons available at your local big box store, but citronella oil works as a natural repellent thanks to its citrusy scent that'll make ants in the house a thing of the past.

If you're looking for a natural way to get rid of ants without poisons, instead of reaching for a chemical insecticide, grab a bottle of essential oil like the bestselling HIQILI 100% Pure and Natural Undiluted Citronella Oil from Amazon. A non-toxic biochemical made from dried grasses, citronella oil has been shown in multiple studies to be capable of both repelling and killing various types of ants. Compared to commercial ant bait stations, citronella is an equally effective and affordable option.

There are a variety of essential oils you can use to naturally deter ants from invading your kitchen cabinets. So what makes citronella one of the best choices? According to a study from the Murcian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research and Development, the verdant and citrusy odor of citronella oil that many people describe as woodsy and lemony was highly repellent to ants during trials conducted to find a nontoxic way to keep them from destroying agricultural equipment. But there's more to the chemical compound than just the scent. In another study published in the Journal of Entomological Science, it turns out that although citronella oil is not toxic to humans, it was one of the only essential oils tested that was 100% toxic to ants. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been regulating citronella products since 1948 and recognizes it as a feeding inhibitor that prevents ants from detecting and consuming the nutrients it finds in your kitchen or your woodwork.

If you're looking for a safer way to get rid of these pesky insects, you may be surprised to learn that commercial ant bait isn't necessarily toxic to humans or pets. Often made from low concentrations of boric acid, ingesting a small amount of ant insecticide may lead to some stomach upset, but is unlikely to cause serious harm. But citronella is so nontoxic, to humans, animals, and the environment, and presents so little risk, that the EPA has exempted most oil of citronella as a pesticide so that it can be easily accessed and used for a wider range of applications (including getting rid of the ants in your home.)

There are many ways to get rid of ants using citronella oil. In most studies, undiluted oil was applied directly to a controlled testing environment. Although you could carefully take this approach, and the study from the Murcian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research and Development indicated that the oil didn't harm even synthetic materials like plastic, experts recommend diluting essential oils before working with them. Either way, whether you're applying citronella essential oil to wood floors, stone countertops, or other surfaces, always do a patch test first to make sure it doesn't cause any discoloration. Avoid getting any undiluted essential oil directly on your skin, which can cause redness and irritation.

Because the undiluted approach isn't necessarily practical or affordable for combating an infestation in the average house, another easy application method is to create a citronella spray instead. You can do this easily by filling a spray bottle like Teyssor BPA Free Fine Mist Spray Bottles from Amazon with two ounces of water and 60 to 120 drops of citronella oil. Liberally saturate your infested surface, repeating as necessary until all the ants have marched elsewhere (or into the afterlife.)

If a spray isn't practical and your goal is to preemptively repel ants from your home rather than handle a major infestation, you may want to consider a diffuser like the bestselling ASAKUKI 500ml Essential Oil Diffuser from Amazon. After filling your diffuser with water, add a few drops of citronella oil. You can also add other oils that have been proven to repel ants, like cinnamon, to create a pleasant scent on a porch or patio where ants are likely to congregate.