Smells That Ants Absolutely Hate

(Updated April 4, 2024)

There are many smells that ants absolutely hate.

Ants detect scent through very sensitive chemo-receptors on their antennae. This is how ants zero in on food crumbs, etc.

Ants will build their nests outside for the most part. But both food and moisture can attract them indoors.

These are some of the smells you can use in your home that ants absolutely hate.

• Vinegar
• Thyme
• Chalk
• Citrus peel
• Peppermint Oil
• Lavender
• Lemongrass Essential Oil
• Chrysanthemum
• Coffee grounds
• Cayenne & Black Pepper
• Tea Tree Oil
• Cinnamon
• Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
• Rosemary
• Mint
• Basil
• Laundry Detergent

Vinegar:

Ants not only hate the smell of vinegar, but it removes their scent trails. And scent is how they find their way around.

You will typically see a straight line of ants, and that’s because they’re all going for the same smell. Vinegar confuses ants and causes them to disband.

Thyme:

In your garden, you can repel ants with thyme. Thyme also attracts pollinators like bees. So planting thyme is a win-win.

You could also plant a pot of thyme and put it inside somewhere like in a window sill.

Chalk:

You can draw thick lines of chalk close to where you think ants are entering your home. Chalk contains calcium carbonate, and this interferes with the ants scent trails.

Chalk has a texture ants don’t like going across.

Citrus Peel:

Citrus peel not only works on ants, but also can deter mosquitoes, flies and ticks.

Leave citrus peels around access points of ants.

Peppermint Oil:

Both ants and mice hate the scent of peppermint oil.

There are two chemical compounds that are toxic to insects. Those are terpene and menthol.

And peppermint oil contains both.

Lavender:

Gardeners plant lavender in their gardens to protect other plants from ants. Lavender is a natural insect repellent for many garden pests.

Lemongrass Essential Oil:

This essential oil confuses ants’ chemical receptors and makes it hard for them to find food. Thus they will steer away from this scent.

Chrysanthemum:

Chrysanthemum contains pyrethrins which is toxic to multiple insects.

Coffee Grounds:

Coffee grounds act as an insect repellent. You can sprinkle your coffee grounds around the outside of your home to deter ants.

Cayenne & Black Pepper Has An Odor That Deters Ants:

Cayenne and black pepper both work well to deter ants. It confuses their scent receptors.

To create a barrier that ants will not cross, sprinkle a line of pepper in their path.

Tea Tree Oil:

As you’ve probably figured out by reading this, there are many essential oils that are ant repellents. Tea tree oil is one of them.

One way to deter ants from their path is to soak cotton balls in tea tree oil and place them where they’re coming inside.

Cinnamon:

One of my favorite ant deterrent is cinnamon, and I love the scent of cinnamon.

I thought that putting down a solid line of cinnamon as a barrier would only deter them. But ground cinnamon can also suffocate ants. It clogs the spiracles they use to breathe.

Lemon Eucalyptus Oil:

Lemon eucalyptus oil is extracted from the lemon eucalyptus tree. It contains citronella. Citronella is also a mosquito repellent.

Rosemary:

Rosemary releases an intense smell that ants absolutely hate.

Mint:

Mint leaves deter both ants and spiders.

Basil:

Basil contains an oil which ants hate.

Laundry Detergent Deters Ants:

The scent of laundry detergent will turn ants away.

Put a line of dry laundry detergent around baseboards, windows, and other areas where you see ants coming in.

You can also mix equal parts laundry detergent and water in a spray bottle to use on their entry points.