Make A Less Toxic Ant Spray | PBS-TV’s Garden guy Loren Nancarrow reveals his own anti-ant, not-in-this-house, less toxic, spray recipe.
If you’re looking for a natural and less toxic solution to keep ants at bay, PBS-TV’s gardenRx has the perfect remedy for you. Making your own ant spray is not only cost-effective but also eliminates the use of harmful chemicals typically found in commercial ant sprays. Here’s how you can create your own less toxic ant spray at home:
Ingredients:- 1 cup of water- 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar- 10-15 drops of peppermint essential oil- 10-15 drops of tea tree essential oil- 1 teaspoon of dish soap (optional)Instructions:1. In a spray bottle, combine 1 cup of water with 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar. Vinegar helps repel ants and disrupt their pheromone trails, making it difficult for them to find their way back to your home.
2. Add 10-15 drops of peppermint essential oil to the mixture. Peppermint oil is known for its strong scent, which ants despise. It acts as a natural deterrent and helps to keep ants away from your home and garden.
3. Next, add 10-15 drops of tea tree essential oil to the mixture. Tea tree oil is another powerful ant repellent that can effectively deter them from entering your space.
4. If desired, add 1 teaspoon of dish soap to the mixture. Dish soap helps the spray to adhere to surfaces better and can also suffocate ants upon contact.
5. Secure the spray bottle’s cap and shake the contents well to ensure all of the ingredients are properly mixed.How to use:To use your less toxic ant spray, simply spray it directly on ants you see indoors or at entry points into your home, such as windowsills or doorframes. You can also spray the mixture around areas prone to ant activity, such as kitchen counters, baseboards, and garden areas where ants are unwanted.
Remember to shake the bottle well before each use as the oil and water may naturally separate over time. Reapply the spray as needed, especially after cleaning or if it rains, as it may wash away the repellent properties.
Ammonia is also a natural pesticide and insect attractant. It is even found in humans and in the natural environment when proteins in food are broken down. The pungent smell of ammonia is enough for the ants to disperse around the house and find other places to live. Owner spray ants in an ammonia solution in hopes of killing them. A common ant prevention solution is to mix ammonia and warm water in a spray bottle and spray all the cracks, crevices and other common spots in your home where you have noticed ants.
By using this homemade ant spray, you not only create a safer environment for yourself, your family, and your pets but also contribute to protecting the ecosystem from the harmful effects of toxic chemicals.
Grandma’s Old Fashion Less Toxic Ant Spray
Into a 1 quart spray bottle add, 1 quart of water and 1 tablespoon of household ammonia.
