Skip to main content

Does vinegar repel ants and other pests around the home?

Use vinegar to keep ants and other creepy crawlies at bay

Finding ants in your home is equal parts disgusting and frustrating. You may wonder, “Why can’t they just leave us alone and how are they finding their way inside?!” There is a way to keep those creeps out. And it’s nontoxic. It’s a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water, which you can use to wipe away their trail so no other pests will get the same idea. Use vinegar to repel ants. It’s a simple solution!

White vinegar works well in this mixture, as does apple cider vinegar. Both types of vinegar work equally well when mixed with water, so whichever you have on hand will work. 

Man cleaning home with a spray bottle
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Do all bugs hate vinegar?

While aphids and fruit flies are exceptions, many insects and bugs can’t stand the scent of vinegar. When you discover an incoming pest invasion, your best bet is to load up a spray bottle with the vinegar-water mixture and start spraying around keyholes, crevices, and entrances that they come in through (give a good once-over where they might be sneaking through). You can also spray the outside of your home — doors, windows, and other potential openings.

The reason you spray areas inside and outside of your home is because ants follow scent trails left by a scout from their colony. By spraying the vinegar-water mixture and wiping down surfaces, you destroy these scent trails. This way, ants will stop treating your home like a mini-mart.

And, if you’re not a fan of spiders, either, you should know that they don’t like the scent and taste of vinegar, too, so they will stay far, far away if they sense it. You can spray the mixture and wipe down surfaces where you commonly see eight-legged visitors for the best results.

Man cleaning counter with spray bottle
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What other scents repels bugs?

In addition to vinegar, insects and bugs are very sensitive to a variety of scents. If you want to explore more options beyond vinegar, you can try out some of the following scents to keep those pests away:

  • Basil
  • Peppermint
  • Garlic
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Lavender
  • Lemon grass
  • Rosemary

When it comes to using these scents to repel bugs, there are different methods of utilizing them. You can plant certain aromatic herbs and plants, such as basil, lavender, lemongrass, and rosemary around your home and garden to keep invaders away. Other scents like garlic, peppermint, and cayenne pepper can be mixed with water and sprayed around the home.

Keeping ants, insects, and other bugs away from and out of your home can be a real hassle without the right tools. Luckily, vinegar mixed with water is a great solution to this issue. Everyone has vinegar on hand, and mixing it with water can be a great way to help keep your home pest-free. Vinegar is nontoxic, organic, affordable, and easy to use. It is the perfect way to repel those pests and keep your home clean. Just make sure you keep your home clean and that you safely store your food.

So stop being frustrated and start spraying.

Editors' Recommendations

Tom Warnick
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Tom has worked been a writer and editor for several years, working at the Starlog Group, Billboard, Bed Bath & Beyond…
What colors go with purple? 8 captivating shades for your home
Curious about purple decor? Here's how to decorate with and find colors that go with purple
Living room with purple couch and walls

Purple represents royalty, mystery, peace, and much more, depending on who you ask. So, why can’t you decorate with purple? There are many ways to work it in if purple is your thing, from purple color combinations to purple accents.

Research shows that people who decorate with purple are most likely to say their home makes them happy and Pantone's color of the year in 2022 certainly celebrated the shade. If you already love purple, this is definitely the read for you, but if you need some convincing, this just may be the thing that convinces you that purple is the right choice for remodeling your space.

Read more
The best beige colors for your home (and, no, they’re not boring)
Here's how to make "boring" beige look stunning in your space
Warm beige living room wall paint color

Beige colors often get neglected in many homes. After spending years in the spotlight in traditional and modern spaces, the color beige took a backseat while homeowners began looking for more exciting shades to introduce into their spaces. But that doesn't mean that beige is boring!

On the contrary, beige is a fantastic color to bring into your space, especially if you're aiming to amp up a neutral color palette. Or perhaps you want to opt for a traditional and timeless look? With many unique and exquisite undertones, beige paint colors can transform your room into an enriching and inviting space. If you're curious about how you can bring beige into your home in an exciting new way, check out our favorite picks for this paint color.

Read more
This low-maintenance, attractive ornamental grass adds instant curb appeal
Blue oat grass is a gorgeous addition to your landscaping
Blue oat grass

If you're looking for something to add to your front or backyard landscaping, look no further than blue oat grass. Ornamental blue oat grass is a perennial that offers gorgeous blue-green colors to any yard. It resembles blue fescue grass, but is just a bit larger (it grows about 18-30 inches tall). The blue and gold hues look stunning against green grass, river rock, and mulch, and the hardy grass is ideal for use in most areas because it grows in the sun, partial sun, and in various substrates like soil, clay, and sand.

Prices range depending on how you plan to plant the grass. If you buy, plan on spending around $15-$25 per plant, depending on the size. If you're buying just the seeds, it can be as cheap as $4 for 100 seeds. Whether you're looking to grow or plant blue oat grass, here are a few things to keep in mind so it stays looking healthy.

Read more