Get Rid of Ants Naturally: Homemade Borax Recipe
We’ve been battling several different ant colonies since moving in, and it’s been a constant struggle. At first, I thought a little white vinegar would do the trick, maybe even luring them outside with food scraps. That plan failed miserably. After spending an hour scrubbing trails and sealing cracks with baking soda, the ants still showed up in the kitchen—on the counters, in the food, everywhere. And once ants invade your kitchen, it’s time to act.
Since I don’t like using harsh chemicals in the house, I started searching for natural ant control methods that are safe, affordable, and effective. Chemical sprays and traps may work, but I don’t want them in my living space.
One thing I quickly learned: not all ants are the same. Some colonies go after sugar, others after protein, and a few prefer insects or honeydew. This means you may have to test a couple of DIY ant baits before finding what works for your infestation.
Why Borax Works for Ant Control
Borax (not to be confused with boric acid) is the key ingredient in many store-bought ant traps, but it’s easy and inexpensive to make your own at home. Ants carry the Borax mixture back to their nest and share it with the colony, including the queen. Since ants can’t digest Borax, it eventually wipes out the entire nest. This makes Borax one of the most reliable methods to get rid of ants naturally.
Homemade Sugar Ant Bait
Ingredients
1 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon Borax
½ cup water
Supplies
Metal spoon
Small metal saucepan
Method
Combine ingredients in a saucepan.
Bring to a boil and simmer for 3 minutes.
Pour onto small ceramic plates or jar lids and let cool completely until thick.
Place where ants are most active.
Tips
I often make half the recipe since a little goes a long way.
Do not wipe down the ant trails right away—you want the ants to carry the bait back to the colony. Once they’re gone, clean the area with white vinegar.
Wash all utensils thoroughly when finished.
Homemade Protein Ant Bait
Ingredients
4 tablespoons peanut butter, bacon grease, or another protein source
¾ teaspoon Borax
Supplies
Metal spoon or fork
Small glass bowl
Method
Mix the protein with Borax until fully combined.
Place mixture on jar lids or small plates in areas where ants gather.
Tips
Test different proteins to see what attracts your ants. In my case, cultured butter worked better than bacon.
Melt (but don’t boil) the butter to keep cultures alive—it seems to make it more appealing.
As with the sugar bait, wash utensils carefully afterward.
When Borax Isn’t Enough
Unfortunately, Borax doesn’t work on every type of ant. We still have a persistent group that ignores both sugar and protein baits. After closer inspection, I realized we’re dealing with acrobat ants—recognizable by their heart-shaped abdomens that they raise above their heads. These ants are especially tough because they often nest in old carpenter ant tunnels and enter through cracks near the driveway.
If Borax doesn’t solve your infestation, the next step is identifying which species you’re dealing with. Some ants require more targeted control methods. I’ll continue experimenting with natural ant repellents and DIY solutions and update this post as I find what works best.
The Takeaway
Dealing with ants naturally takes a little patience, but it’s possible. Start with Borax sugar and protein baits, observe which works best, and keep your kitchen clean but trails visible until the bait has been shared. Once the colony is gone, wipe down with vinegar to erase their scent trails.
Ants may be small, but with the right approach, you can win back your kitchen with safe, non-toxic ant control instead of harsh chemicals.
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