The Best Natural Ant Killer You Can Make in 60 Seconds

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Last Updated on March 18, 2025 by Kiersten James, BS, RN

This homemade natural ant killer is powerful and does two things – attracts the ants and eliminates them at the source.

Spring is around the corner, which means unfortunately so are the ants. One minute, the kitchen counter is spotless. The next, there’s a tiny trail of ants marching straight to the crumbs my kids left behind.

It happens SO fast and my countertops are black granite so I don’t always realize right away. I always say to my husband that I truly don’t know what’s worse – fruit flies or ants.

What I do know is once those ants find a way inside, the battle has only just begun.

For the last few seasons, I’ve been making and having great success with this natural ant killer you can make in under a minute. The ingredients are simple, safe, and probably things you already have.

Unlike ant sprays that only kill the ants you see in front of you, this method takes the mixture back to the ant colony, wiping out the problem for good.

*Disclaimer: The photos in this post were sourced from Canva’s photo library as I do not have photos of massive colonies of ants in my house lol.

Why Ants Invade Your House

Ants don’t just show up because they have nothing better to do. They’re searching for food, water, and a place to build their colony. Even the cleanest homes can attract them if the ants happen to find the right conditions.

Things most likely to bring ants inside:

• Food crumbs and spills – the tiniest bits of sugar or grease can draw them in.
• Standing water or moisture – think of places like pet water bowls. Damp areas give ants the hydration they need.
• Easy entry points – tiny cracks in doors, windows, and walls can serve as open invitations.
• Scent trails – once one ant finds food, it leaves behind a trail that guides the rest straight to the source.

How to Make Your House Less Appealing to Ants

Before you even think about killing ants already present, start by making your home less inviting. If they have no reason to be there, they won’t stay.

1. Clean up any spills immediately. One drop of juice or a cracker under the couch is more than enough to attract an army of ants.
2. Store food in sealed containers. Open cereal boxes, baking ingredients, and pet food in pantries or closets are usual ant targets.
3. Regularly take out garbage. Rotting fruit peels and crumbs in the can can lure ants inside.
4. Fix any leaks. A dripping faucet or damp cabinet under the sink provides ant colonies with the water they need to survive.
5. Seal any obvious entry points. Check for any small cracks around windows and doors and seal them with caulk.

Doing these things will reduce the number of ants that show up. If they’re already inside, this is how I get rid of them.

The Best Natural Ant Killer (60-Second Recipe)

Supplies:

• 2 cups very hot water
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 ½ tablespoons borax
• Cotton balls
• Small lids (from old jars or similar)

Instructions:

1. Add the sugar and borax to the hot water. Stir until dissolved.
2. Soak cotton balls in the mixture and put one or two cotton balls on a lid. They should be very saturated with liquid.
3. Place the lids in areas where you’ve seen ants along known travel paths or entry points.
4. If the ants don’t seem interested, add a small amount of cooking oil to the cotton. Some ants prefer grease over sugar.
5. Re-wet the cotton balls with the liquid mixture as they begin to dry out.
6. You can move the lids to different places throughout the week if you find one area working better than others.

How This Natural Ant Killer Works

The sugar attracts the ants, while the borax kills them slowly. The ants carry the mixture back to their colony, feeding it to the rest. Within a few days, the whole nest is wiped out.

This natural ant killer is highly effective but requires patience. You’ll see more ants at first as they swarm the bait, but within a day or two their numbers will start to drop.

What If You Don’t Have Borax?

If you don’t have borax on hand, here are two backup solutions that also work until you can get to the store:

1. White vinegar spray – Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle or bowl and wipe down areas where you see ants. The vinegar mixture will erase scent trails so more ants can’t follow.
2. Diatomaceous earth (DE) – You can sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth along baseboards, windows, and entry points. It dries out and kills ants when they walk through it.

Save It For Later!

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