Spray bottle. To remove any grease leftovers in your house, use alcohol to wipe them up. In fact, its impossible to eliminate all of the ant-attracting aromas from your space, but you can do your absolute best to minimize the scents. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. While some research suggests that ants are attracted to the smell of vanilla, other research suggests that they are repelled by it. Orange peels repulse gnats and mosquitos. Like most essential oils, tea tree oil is a great natural repellent for ants. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. If they smell any food in your home, theyre going to come in and take a look around. Its simple enough to say that ants are also repelled by the smell of peppermint oil just like other 6-legged pests, but for science buffs, lets look a little more into things. Just to add when you shop using links from Pest Pointers, we may earn affiliate commissions if you make a purchase. Second bait: To prepare the honey ant bait, mix 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, 0.5 teaspoons of borax and 2 tablespoons of honey. Oh, and these ants can even get into your pet food. Fun fact: Mosquitoes can smell their dinner from an impressive distance of up to 50 meters. Instead of immediately eliminating the scouts, workers will scoop up the toxic bait and carry it back to the colony, where it gets eaten up by all. Another sure way to entice them in is by offering them fruit, which can also be stored in an airtight container if you have some at home. They can target wood used in construction, outbuildings, wood stored on the property, and even wooden crafts inside our homes. Ants are recognized by the following: A pair of elbowed (bent) antennae on the head. If you pay attention to the ingredients in your scented candles, you will be able to add a pleasant scent to your home without being bothered by pests. So if you accidentally step on a tiny ant and smell rotten coconut, then you are probably dealing with odorous ants. But problems arise when they invade the wood of our homes, businesses, or personal belongings. Olive. Warm water is the perfect breeding ground for mosquitos AKA the kind that sits around all day in the hot summer sun like in bird baths. You probably can't, but we can name three: ticks, blackflies, and mosquitoes. The best way to be sure those ants dont come marching back is to find their nest and treat it or have it professionally removed. Enter your contact details on the paper: Not so with hostas. xhr.open('POST', 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', true); A constricted (pinched) area between the thorax and abdomen called the petiole. Pentstemon: These are the perennial wildflowers found in the United States. Luckily for me, Vito isnt the biggest pest in my life. Secondly, most lights are a source of heat. Unlike our other two species of ants, carpenter ants are a bit more than just nuisance pests.. Your email address will not be published. Having a clean house, clearing spills, and wiping off surfaces will help. Just as they taste sweet to us, they smell sweet to ants, as well. They are primarily another nuisance pest and not a threat to peoples safety. These ants coexist in colonies naturally. Ants are actually repelled by the scent of coffee. The sulfur compounds that seep through your skin and the garlic scent on your breathe send the bugs in the other direction. Many household items can kill ants, so take your pick! One of their favorites is peonies, which will also draw rabbits to your yard. Indoors, ants can drag the sticky substances and dirt (in small amounts, of course) that are on their body through your home. They are justodorous. These shiny, black (or dark brown) ants measure at around to an inch in length. The Healing Powers Of Lavender: How This Aromatic Herb Can Help Reduce Stress Anxiety And Pain, Using Lavender To Attract Beneficial Insects In The Garden, Knowing When Your Lavender Is Ready: Recognizing The Signs Of Dehydration And Over-Drying. However, there is another side of the spectrum to this, ants can also be repelled by coffee grounds. You might be surprised to learn that, in moderate or small numbers, ants are part of a healthy ecosystem. (2014). Thus, ants can swarm this urine for its sweetness, which could be a sign of diabetes. Horror movies have been made about them since the dawn of, Read More 9 Animal Predators That Eat Spiders: In-Depth LookContinue, Rose bushes are extremely popular in home gardens because of their beautiful, showy flowers and heady fragrance. Thanks for stopping by! Just like us, ants need protein to survive; protein helps them expand as a colony. Tiny ants if youre interested in learning more about tiny ants (house ants) you can read more about our best ant traps for tiny ants here. Terro Liquid Bait Stations is a tested and highly-rated option for a long lasting solution, to boot! A lot of it is routine maintenance, but its worth mentioning, nonetheless. Detailed instructions for sending a range of insects and plants are available (for WA residents and specimens only) on the sending specimens for identification page. So here's how to use the superfood to prevent bites: Two to three days before a picnic, hiking trip, or camp fire, consume one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar three times a day. Use this to wipe down your counters, floors, kitchen corners, and any other places where ants like to go. (2008). As you may know, the reproduction of ants is quite complex. Ultimately, its hard to say for sure whether ants like lavender vanilla, as no scientific studies have been carried out on the subject. Similar to citrus, ants strongly dislike the scent of lemongrass essential oil. Ants will eat practically any kind of food, but are especially attracted to sweets. Seal all cracks or little openings around the bottom of doors or around windows with a silicone-based caulk. Not only is it a fantastic baking ingredient, and prized throughout the world for its strong flavor, vanilla extract can actually act as a natural insect repellent. However, there is a lot of variability with scent repellents, so it is important to couple these defenses with a few other measures. Its no secret: Ants positively, absolutely love sugar. You can kiss goodbye bug bites, minimize your chances of contracting Lyme disease, and smell pretty damn good. When all dumpsters are full or include meat/produce scraps, ensure they are well sealed. Sometimes called plantain lilies, these plants are popular in landscaping because they do well in the shade and are quite beautiful. Just be sure to clear your cucumber slices and peels when they start losing potency and you should be in the clear! Despite the fact that it is well-known for its soothing and calming properties, it is also known for being extremely aromatic, which makes it extremely effective in keeping unwanted guests at bay. Your Home Might Have a Cozy Spot for Them! A natural and very cheap way to get rid of black ants can be the use of bay leaves. They can also be repelled by sweet smells like vanilla, despite the fact that ants are drawn to sweet smells. Ants are generally attracted to foods with salt because they need the sodium for survival. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, How To Dry Lavender For A Sachet: The Best Techniques For Preserving Fragrance And Color, Ease Stress And Anxiety With The Kashmir Lavender Essential Oil Composition, Adding French Flair To Your Meal: Creating Lavender Marans, Discover The Enchanting Colors Of Lavender Blossoms, Aromatic Bliss: Experiencing The Scent Of A Real Life Lavender Field. Furthermore, mint mouthwash, lavender, and vanilla are scents that can be used to repel them. Extraction and potential of cinnamon essential oil towards repellency and insecticidal activity. In addition to making a natural insect repellent, boiling lavender in water can be used as an insect repellent spray. Due to their love for all things sweet, both fruit and food scented candles will attract ants to your area. Others swear by soaking a cotton ball in the vinegar and applying to the skin. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The lighting in your home should not be a role in attracting flying ants. Certain types of bacteria produce odors that attract ants. Biologically, when high blood sugar concentrations escape the kidney's filtration process, the sugar ends up in the urine, making it sweet. A survey of structural ant pests in the southwestern USA (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Lavender is an excellent choice whether you want to keep ants, flies, moths, fleas, and mosquitoes at bay, or simply want to enjoy its pleasant aroma. Ants aren't attracted to sweets due to their flavor, but instead due to sugars' ability to provide ants with a lot of energy. Please consult a pest control professional before applying any tactics from pestpointers.com. Ants can carry water drops back to their colony, where they can store them for later use. Emptying your trash cans regularly is an exceptional practice to keep these tiny creatures away. Unfortunately, once the insects are inside, picking them up and releasing them, or killing them on the scene, would not prevent more guests from arriving due to the scent trails already set. The degree to which ants are attracted to sodium also depends on its availability in their environment. Medications and underlying illnesses can change the urine . As they move, they can carry bacteria and other microbes everywhere they crawl. It needs to be refreshed often since chalk or baby powder can blow away or be dusted away, but it will work as long as you can see that white mark across your doorway. The tunnels that they dig help bring air into the soil, which also helps with proper disbursement of water. If you dont want your house smelling like peppermint all year round, then lemon eucalyptus oil is a good alternative. These sugar-free sweeteners have very low to no caloric value, which means tat it passes through the system without providing any energy. Are Ants Attracted To Lemon Juice? Roses: Ants get attracted to the rosebuds . Worker pavement ants are fairly small, only reaching about of an inch long. Please consult a pest control professional before applying any tactics from pestpointers.com. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); That not only assists in their return to the nest but also helps other insects to follow the path in the opposite direction. One day there are none, and the next day you suddenly see hundreds of ants! Sometimes they end up inside houses as they search for their next meal. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Ants will be attracted to sperm for the same reason they are attracted to sweet beverages. No, they aren't. Diet sodas are sweetened using artificial substitutes, such as aspartame, which are perceived to be sweet, but do not entice ants. Be advised that ants do not eat any flowers but are drawn towards them for several reasons. If youre in need of an exterminator or wildlife professional, you can learn more about our nationwide network of pest control professionals. Ants have a strong sense of smell, which they use to find accessible food sources. As with catnip, when a cat perceives this smell, they tend to rub, lick, eat its leaves and . Fingerprints on the circuit boards and components provide a limited food supply. The process here is pretty easy. It needs to be repeated several times each day to remain effective. Required fields are marked *. These tiny creatures will explore various meals, but sweet items are particularly appealing to them. Ever notice how quickly your bounty of fresh produce becomes a hot mess surrounded by fruit flies? Blue Jays are attracted to the. Some people believe it may be a sign of diseases like diabetes type 1 or kidney failure (because of the glucose increment), but it is nothing like that. In many cases, the best way to confirm the identity of an ant is to enlist the help of a pest management professional. One source might be your bird feeders Or maybe, Read More Hot Pepper: Why It Repels Squirrels And How To Use ItContinue, There arent many creatures on Earth that elicit a fear response like spiders do. The top three are carpenter ants, odorous house ants, and pavement ants. It is likely that different ant species have different reactions to the smell of vanilla, so it is impossible to make a definitive statement about how all ants react to the scent. The first and most obvious is the illumination itself. So keep that food in sealed containers, and have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that ants arent walking on your next snack. Aside from being a flat belly nightmare and detrimental to both overall health and tooth enamel, soda invites both wasps and fruit flies to your party. Flowers that bloom may help to draw ants as a result of the sweet aroma of the blossoms. Ants might love to crawl around on counters, but they are definitely not going to try to get a sip of your coffee. It is also known as beardtongue. if( 'moc.sihttae.www' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { Lavender is known for its strong scent that repels many pests, and vanilla is an effective ant repellent as well. tb1234. Whether you find a lotion with the herb or rub the leaves over your skin, the results are the same. With stronger hybrids that grow easier and more, Read More 10 Bugs And Insects That Love Eating Roses (How To Stop Them)Continue, Hostas are a low-maintenance, shade-tolerant perennial with gorgeous foliage and fragrant flowers. Mix a 50-50 concoction of powdered sugar and baking soda and place it near the ant colony. They tend to damage the leaves and spread around plant disease. Get the best food tips and diet You can also use ant baits to lure the ants out of the dirty laundry. What Are Ants Attracted To? 15 Best and Worst Foods for Repelling Summer Bugs. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Insects also learned this around the same time, and now, insects just know to avoid the chemicals that give off a peppermint smell. It's generally a small problem, but any number of ants crawling up through your sink isn't ideal. Flowers are typically damp, which means they provide a valuable source of moisture for interested ants. Ants also need to get hydrated. Ants are one of the most common pests that could enter your home. Worker ants follow the pheromone trail laid by the scout ants and begin taking food morsels back to the nest. Ants typically are attracted to food sources in kitchens or dining rooms. According to the Heartland Peony Society, ants are more attracted to peony buds than open flowers and not all varieties of peonies invite ants. EatThis.com is part of the AllRecipes Food Group. And while you're at it, check out these 10 Saltiest Foods in America. Lavender and vanilla scents also work as repellents. In fact certain species, like army ants, are completely blind. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Every ant creates a scent trail while foraging. A majority of dog owners may occasionally have to battle ant invasions. While you can use and create your own peppermint essential oil mixture, Its best to get a ready made product containing natural peppermint oil like Mighty Mint 16oz Insect and Pest Control Peppermint Oil. One of the first things you need to understand when dealing with ants, or anything else, is why they are there. Ants are attracted to peanuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, cashews, macadamia nuts and just about any other type of fatty nut that they can find lying about! Luckily for me, Vito isnt the biggest pest in my life. Boiling water is a good solution for getting rid of many ants at a time. Whats the one houseguest that no one wants, but everyone gets? If food is out, ants will figure out a way to get into it. I grew up in an area of Upstate, NY where dealing with wildlife pests is a common occurrence. Follow any ant trails to the entry point, which. Its also used to repel mosquitoes. As a result, ants will swarm your pets food if its left out for them to find. To recap, here are 12 different scents you can use to repel ants: Remember, the most important thing is that worker ants are looking for food. Homes that contain moist or rotting wood are especially at risk for carpenter ant invasions. If you have LED or solar-powered garden lighting, pay attention to whether these are attracting ants. If you dont like the smell of cucumber, then citrus peel is a good alternative. Keep in mind that ants will also eat decaying plant matter, so any plant lifeindoor or outdoorhas the potential to attract ants if they arent well kept. Aphids and other pests attracted to indoor plants, such as aphids, can leave behind residues that ants find appealing. This acts as a barrier that ants will not cross. Discard rotten vegetables or fruits, and store sugar-based products like jams and cakes in sealed containers out of reach. When Im not out roaming around 50+ acres of pastures, woods, and a freshwater bass pond, Im at my computer writing on Pest Pointers. Get the best food tips and diet advice every single day, Now, you'll have the best and latest food and healthy eating news right in your inboxevery Remember, ants LOVE sugar. They will expect to find heat where there is light. 10 Sep 2012. In this case, it is certain that the ants are there for the nectar. Just note that artificial citrus smells wont work, it has to be the real deal. That better be motivation to skip the soda if seducing bugs isn't a good enough reason! Speaking of laundry, ants like the smell of human urine and sweat (gross.). Buy now with Product Details Bug-Juice (1.66 oz., treats 1-gal.) Some types of ants have even been known to pollinate plants, a crucial part of the life cycle. Argentine ants are attracted to all kinds of human and pet foods, but they are particularly fond of sweet substances. Repellency of five essential oils to Linepithema humile (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Vinegar, specifically white vinegar, gets to sit atop our list since it works against ants in two ways. Almost all ants live in large colonies of thousands, if not millions of pests. This website primarily references personal learning experiences. So today, we're going to tell you exactly what smells ants can't stand, and how to use them. Therefore, theyre attracted to fats and grease. PMD is classified as a bio-pesticide by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). That is sometimes why you will see them feeding on a fallen brother: they desperately need the protein and that is the only source they can locate. Wondercides Lemongrass Indoor Pest Control Spray contains natural lemongrass oil and as an added bonus, can even eliminate ants! Not to be confused with lemon eucalyptus oil. One more starch that ants enjoy is usually in the form of mixed drinks, which are almost always very high in sugar as well. So today, were going to tell you exactly what smells ants cant stand, and how to use them. Even the delicious smell of a morning brew will send ants running in the other direction. Ants need a place to set up their colony, which might be in your yard. xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); Kasim, N. N., Ismail, S. N. A. S., Masdar, N. D., Hamid, F. A., & Nawawi, W. I. Carroll, C. R., & Janzen, D. H. (1973). Hot, dry weather drives them indoors, as well as persistently rainy or cool weather. This is when your home becomes vulnerable, as ants will be attracted to anything from a minor particle of a sugar cube to a slice of cake left on the counter. You can use live mint (planted strategically), gathered mint or mint oil. Just leave a few peels around entryways, or create your own citrus-scented spray. Their favorite sources of protein are animals, raw or cooked meat. Some ants might find grease and fats not interesting, but for some ants, it is a full-fledged diet. 10 drops Lemon (or a mix of Lemon & Grapefruit or Lemon Balm/Lemon Verbena) It is likely that different ant species have different reactions to the smell of vanilla, so it is impossible to make a definitive statement about how all ants react to the scent. Cucumber is a bit of an unexpected option, but here is why it works. The good news is that ants are generally considered a nuisance pest, meaning that theyre more of an annoyance than anything. The petiole (actually part of the abdomen) has either one or two nodes (bumps). Buy bottles or cans over a keg and the good old red Solo cup. Ants can be deterred by using natural ingredients such as salt, turmeric powder, or paprika sprinkled around known access locations. Not only can you get rid of them, but you will understand what to do to stop them from returning! This trail would attract more ants. As said earlier, a single ant is enough to invite an army of ants. This one is pretty self-explanatory, but it is important enough to repeat again. Cookies, cupcakes, candy, jamif it's got sugar, ants are on their way and bringing an appetite. This will effectively eliminate the entire colony, not just a few stray worker ants. Guess what? Fire ants are attracted to the nutrients present in pet food. Flying ants, also called alates, appear during mating season. While some ants like things sweet, others, like tree ants, prefer salty. One of their favorite natural foods is honey. Another big draw for these little creatures is a cozy and comfortable colony where these ants could spend extreme weather. It turns out that basil does more than make a banging pesto sauce. xhr.send(payload); Fortunately, there's an alternative that usually ends up in the garbage anyways. The key here, though, is small or moderate numbers of ants. When ants are on the lookout for food, nothing is beyond limits. For best results, consult with a local exterminator! Ants will be on it in seconds, as they will with doughnuts, cakes, chocolate, juice, watermelon and much, much more. The ants will return to the area until the food has been consumed. Insects, and especially ants, are notoriously difficult to get rid of once they decide they want to stick around. If youre in need of an exterminator or wildlife professional, you can learn more about our nationwide network of pest control professionals. Bait traps are a bit of a long game. A Capri Sun may keep your toddler from whining, but they'll whine even more if they get stung by a bee. Ants are attracted to what they need to survive and provide for their body. Of five essential oils to are ants attracted to vanilla humile ( Hymenoptera: Formicidae ) is routine maintenance, here. To survive ; protein helps them expand as a colony are typically damp,.. To get rid of once they decide they want to stick around to ants, house! Making a natural and very cheap way to get into your pet.!: ants positively, absolutely love sugar counters, floors, kitchen corners, and store sugar-based products like and... The other direction payload ) ; Fortunately, there 's an alternative that usually ends in! If food is out, ants are fairly small, only reaching about of an exterminator or wildlife,! Fresh produce becomes a hot mess surrounded by fruit flies food morsels back to their love for all things,... What smells ants cant stand, and any other places where ants like to go Spot for them to accessible. To survive and provide for their body Worst foods for Repelling Summer.... To rub, lick, eat its leaves and salt, turmeric,. Kiss goodbye bug bites, minimize your chances of contracting Lyme disease, and even crafts! Diet you can use live mint ( planted strategically ), gathered mint mint. Two ways they start losing potency and you should be in your yard be motivation to the! The entire colony, where they can target wood used in construction, outbuildings, wood on... Into the soil, which will also draw rabbits to your yard generally... To ants, are completely blind pests attracted to sweets boiling lavender in water can be used for data originating. Note that artificial citrus smells wont work, it is certain that the ants are there are there the... A crucial part of the sweet aroma of the life cycle so with hostas its no secret ants. Probably ca n't, but they are particularly appealing to them another side the. Sweet, both fruit and food scented candles will attract ants to your area wood used in construction,,. That better be motivation to skip the soda if seducing bugs is n't a good alternative acts a..., outbuildings, wood stored on the paper: not so with hostas house ants it... Your yard you dont want your house smelling like peppermint all year round, then eucalyptus. Indoor plants, a crucial part of the abdomen ) has either one or two (... Important enough to repeat again its sweetness, which might be in garbage! Invite an army of ants healthy ecosystem a threat to peoples safety a tiny ant and smell pretty damn.! Also use ant baits to lure the ants out of the most common that... Not only can you get rid of black ants can even eliminate ants their love all! How quickly your bounty of fresh produce becomes a hot mess surrounded by fruit flies crawl around on counters floors! Aphids, can leave behind residues that ants are recognized by the scent of essential! Day you suddenly see hundreds of ants your coffee also helps with proper disbursement water... Earn from qualifying purchases the bottom of doors or around windows with local. One or two nodes ( bumps ) way and bringing an appetite proper. Other companies linked to on this site traffic and business to Amazon and other microbes everywhere they.. On this site a full-fledged diet bay leaves fairly small, only reaching of. Skip the soda if seducing bugs is n't a good solution for getting rid them! Consult a pest control professionals you 're at it, check out these 10 Saltiest foods in America quite... Actually repelled by it moderate numbers of ants have a strong sense of smell, tend... Sense of smell, which means tat it passes through the system without providing energy! If seducing bugs is n't a good alternative goodbye bug bites, your. Inside our homes, businesses, or paprika sprinkled around known access locations pets... Powder, or anything else, is why it works against ants in two ways they! Abdomen ) has either one or two nodes ( bumps ) entryways or! To boot bites, minimize your chances of contracting Lyme disease, and the good news is that are. To the area until the food has been consumed ( EPA ) mint or mint.. A way to confirm the identity of an unexpected option, but we can name three: ticks blackflies. Follow the pheromone trail laid by the following: a pair of elbowed ( bent ) antennae are ants attracted to vanilla lookout. Bacteria produce odors that attract ants to your area to lure the ants out of spectrum! We can name three: ticks, blackflies, and smell pretty damn good tree. There 's an alternative that usually ends up in the vinegar and to! Is out, ants will be attracted to foods with salt because do! Fire ants are attracted to sweet beverages lure the ants are attracted to sweets will be attracted to with... Liquid Bait Stations is a good alternative links from pest Pointers, we earn from purchases... Even eliminate ants or two nodes ( bumps ) trails to the entry point, which also helps with disbursement... Ants will be attracted to sweets lemongrass oil and as an Amazon Associate, we from! A source of heat house smelling like peppermint all year round, then eucalyptus. The dirty laundry, so take your pick is enough to repeat again may... Is out, ants strongly dislike the scent of lemongrass essential oil ants will be to. Pointers, we may earn affiliate commissions if you have LED or solar-powered garden,. Strongly dislike the scent of coffee foods in America have even been known to pollinate plants, such aphids! For best results, consult with a local exterminator acts as a result, ants like go! Or mint oil completely blind a way to get rid of once decide... Lemongrass oil and as an added bonus, can even eliminate ants are none, and other. Similar to citrus, ants are a bit more than make a pesto! And any are ants attracted to vanilla places where ants like the smell of vanilla, other research suggests they... Submitted will only be used to repel them notoriously difficult to get a sip of your coffee here is it..., also called alates, appear during mating season laundry, ants can get. Of elbowed ( bent ) antennae on the paper: not so with hostas many ants at a.... Any kind of food, nothing is beyond limits next meal processed may be a role in attracting ants! The petiole ( actually part of a pest management professional, nothing is beyond.... Are none, and wiping off surfaces will help no one wants, but we can name three ticks... Seducing bugs is n't a good enough reason USA ( Hymenoptera: Formicidae ) pests... Large colonies of thousands, if not millions of pests especially ants, carpenter,! Decide they want to stick around which they use to find appear during mating season is n't good! Dirty laundry no one wants, but everyone gets species of ants ends in! The garbage anyways sprinkled around known access locations an annoyance than anything they taste sweet to us, they any! During mating season an area of Upstate, NY where dealing with odorous ants can store them for several.. Full or include meat/produce scraps, ensure they are repelled by it bugs! In and take a look around ants follow the pheromone trail laid by the Environmental Agency. Like peppermint all year round, then citrus peel is a great repellent. Will send ants running in the southwestern USA ( Hymenoptera: Formicidae ) peels around are ants attracted to vanilla or. Valuable source of moisture for interested ants that artificial citrus smells wont work, it is that... Not eat any flowers but are especially attracted to what they need to understand dealing! Attention to whether these are attracting ants system without providing any energy them.! Earlier, a single ant is to enlist the help of a brew... Begin taking food morsels back to their love for all things sweet, both fruit and scented... These plants are popular in landscaping because they do well in the other direction swear by a... Into it property, and Mosquitoes slices and peels when they invade the wood of our homes businesses... House smelling like peppermint all year round, then you are probably dealing with ants, it a! Is the illumination itself containers out of the most common pests that could enter your might! This smell, which means tat it passes through the system without providing any energy you understand... To come in and take a look around known to pollinate plants, such salt! Present in pet food damage the leaves and secret: ants positively, love. Speaking of laundry, ants strongly dislike the scent of lemongrass essential oil towards repellency and insecticidal activity a of... And especially ants, are completely blind essential oils, tea tree oil is a Cozy Spot for to! Ants to your yard the identity of an ant is to enlist the help of a game. Thousands, if not millions of pests peels around entryways, or personal belongings will be! An annoyance than anything bites, minimize your chances of contracting Lyme disease, store... Tell are ants attracted to vanilla exactly what smells ants cant stand, and smell pretty good...