The other night, my daughter decided to make friends with the ants.
Not long ago, she was terrified of them. One little ant would send her into a panic. But with lots of reassurance and curiosity-led learning, she made peace with her tiny foes. Last night, she took it a step further and left crackers in the pantry as an “offering” to welcome them.
This morning, our kitchen was swarming with ants.
Our pantry was crawling, and I was knee-deep in a vinegar-scented crisis while my daughter sadly declared I had “ruined” them. The moment was equal parts hilarious and overwhelming. I laughed. I cried. I sprayed more vinegar.
If you’ve ever found yourself dealing with an unexpected ant infestation, especially one instigated by a well-meaning preschooler, you’re not alone. Because I try to avoid toxic chemicals, I’ve collected a few natural ant remedies over the years that are safe to use around both kids and pets.
Here’s what’s worked best for us.
Natural Ant Remedies (Kid and Pet Safe)
1. White Vinegar Spray
How to use: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
Where to apply: Spray directly on ants, their trails, baseboards, entry points, and pantry shelves.
Why it works: Disrupts their scent trails and acts as a deterrent.
Bonus tip: Add a few drops of dish soap for a great all-purpose cleaner.
2. Lemon Juice
How to use: Wipe down surfaces or entry points with fresh lemon juice.
Why it works: Its acidity disrupts ant trails and smells unappealing to them.
3. Cinnamon
How to use: Sprinkle ground cinnamon or use diluted cinnamon essential oil along doors, windows, or pantry edges.
Why it works: Ants dislike the strong scent and avoid areas with it.
4. Diatomaceous Earth (Food Grade Only)
How to use: Lightly dust areas where ants are entering the home—along baseboards, near doors, or inside cabinets.
Why it works: It dehydrates ants while being completely safe for children and animals if you use food grade.
Important: Avoid inhaling the dust during application.
5. Baking Soda + Powdered Sugar
How to use: Mix equal parts and place in shallow dishes where ants are active.
Why it works: Sugar attracts them, and baking soda disrupts digestion.
Caution: Keep out of reach of young children.
6. Peppermint Oil Spray
How to use: Mix 10–15 drops of peppermint essential oil with water and a bit of dish soap in a spray bottle.
Where to apply: Use around baseboards, doors, and pantry shelves.
Why it works: Ants are repelled by minty scents.
7. Cucumber or Citrus Peels
How to use: Place lemon, orange, or cucumber peels at entry points or in affected areas.
Why it works: The bitterness naturally repels ants and many other bugs.
8. Cloves or Bay Leaves
How to use: Tuck them into pantry corners, drawers, and cupboards.
Why it works: These herbs have strong scents that deter ants and pantry moths alike.
Prevention Tips to Keep Ants Away
- Wipe down surfaces regularly with vinegar to erase scent trails.
- Seal cracks and entry points with caulk or weather stripping.
- Store food in airtight containers, especially sweets and crackers.
- Sweep up crumbs daily, toddlers are notorious for snack trails.
- Take out compost and garbage frequently to reduce temptation.
From Mess to Memory
Parenting through moments like these, equal parts chaos and sweetness, can be overwhelming. But they are also the moments that shape our family’s stories. Toddlers teach us to see the world through fresh eyes, even if that world is currently crawling with ants!
If you’re cleaning up a snack-based insect invasion today, know you’re in good company. And now, you’ve got some natural, safe tools to handle it.
