Put An End To Ants With One Easy Essential Oil Hack

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Ants are incredible creatures that are key to supporting our world. They're adaptable, focused, and persistent in going after what they want. But sometimes, this persistence turns annoying (and a little gross), like when they end up marching one by one across your kitchen counter in search of snacks.

There are tons of products out there dedicated to getting — and keeping — ants out of your home. But if you're looking for the best ways to get rid of ants without using dangerous chemicals, try this go-to hack: clove essential oil. Using essential oils to keep various types of pests at bay has risen in popularity over the past years, likely due to their affordability, natural ingredients, and ease of use — you only need a few drops to get a result. Clove oil is a popular choice for repelling ants because its main component, eugenol, is a compound considered to be an efficient yet natural ant repellent and insecticide.

Just how effective is clove essential oil at putting an end to ants? A 2017 study by the International Journal of Biotechnology and Biochemistry indicated that clove oil is around 88% effective compared to industrial ant repellent, which is 97% effective. It also lasted for around three days, which helps dissuade ants from coming back into your home.

If you want to try this natural way to get rid of ants without poisons, grab a bottle of your favorite clove essential oil, such as the Brooklyn Botany Clove Essential Oil, and a few cotton pads. Add a few drops of clove essential oil to each pad and place them throughout the ants' trail. Add one near their entry point to prevent more from coming in, or grab a spray bottle, fill it up with water, and add a few drops before screwing on the lid. Shake, then spray as necessary. Because essential oils are so potent, make sure to use a glass or HDPE plastic spray bottle (look for a number 2 on the bottom of the bottle). To help dissuade ants from entering your home, you could also check outside for their exterior entry point and spray some clove essential oil mixture there as well.

The clove essential oil hack is a great solution if you have just a few ants or even a small stream. But if quite a few are invading your home or you suspect there is a large infestation, it may be time to call in the pros. Something else to keep in mind is that clove essential oil is considered hazardous to pets, especially cats and dogs. Apply mindfully and keep your pets clear of the area, just in case.