14 Essential Oils for Repelling Ants That Actually Work

As soon as you spot an ant in the kitchen, you could reach for the bug spray, or you could turn to essential oils for ant prevention the natural way. While it seems that ants will come marching as soon a you drop a cracker crumb, the smell of a variety of essential oils, from peppermint to clove, will repel ants and, often, other insects will stay away, too. It's a win-win situation where you get a delicious smelling home and you keep away unwanted tiny visitors.

Ready to put up a non-toxic barrier between you and these six-legged pests? Here are 14 essential oils for ants.

Peppermint Oil

While humans often love anything peppermint-flavored, it's a scent that repels ants and other insects, as well as rodents. The strong, minty scent is a signal for ants to keep on marching by, and it will keep them out of your pantry or anywhere else you don't want them lurking.

Cedarwood Oil

Cedarwood's strong odor can be disorienting for ants, and spraying it along entry points will keep them looking for another place to hang out. If you have fire ants, cedarwood is a particularly good option to disperse them.

Cinnamon Oil

While it reminds humans of cozy fall and winter afternoons, the spicy smell of cinnamon oil not only repels ants, but it can also cause them to choke and die. That's why it's a particularly effective essential oil to use against ants.

Citronella Oil

You probably already know citronella oil for its abilities to keep away mosquitos, wasps, and other bugs that might threaten your summer cookout, but it's also effective against ants. Not only do they dislike the smell, but it kills them on contact.

Clove Oil

Clove oil is both a spicy and warm oil that contains eugenol, which is an effective ant repellent. Because of its properties, including possible neurotoxins, it also works to kill ants.

Eucalyptus Oil

Ants would never dare to set foot in a spa because a whiff of eucalyptus is one of their least favorite scents. The strong, serene scent obscures the smell of food, making ants confused about where they were headed.

Lavender Oil

When you want your home to smell like a yoga studio, but also repel ants, reach for lavender oil. This calming oil doesn't have the same relaxing properties for ants and insects that it does for humans. Instead, it sends them packing.

Lemon Oil

Lemon oil's strong scent can distract ants from the trail of food they were following, leading them on a wild goose chase that hopefully takes them away from your kitchen.

Lemongrass Oil

Similar to lemon oil, the strong citrus scent and citral and citronella compounds of lemongrass oil stop ants in their tracks, distracting them from the line they were marching towards your food.

Orange Oil

Orange oil is another sweet citrus scent that is absolutely repulsive to ants. This oil contains properties that also kills ants by suffocating them. However, note that orange oil typically doesn't work on fire ants.

Patchouli Oil

Patchouli oil is one of the most effective ways to repel and kill ants, especially black ants, and it's one you'll often find used in commercially produced ant killers. It's also been shown to work against flies, bed bugs, and other insects.

Tea Tree Oil

Similar to peppermint, the strong scent of tea tree oil sends ants running. While it may not kill them, it's incredibly effective at keeping them away from areas where you've sprayed the oil.

Thyme Oil

You probably are used to using thyme in the kitchen, but this fragrant oil also does an effective job of keeping away ants, as well as other pests like moths.

Spearmint Oil

If you don't have peppermint oil, spearmint oil will also work to keep away ants! The strong scent instantly repels the pesky insects and keeps them away from your home.