Best DIY Ant Killers That Actually Work, Shared by Reddit Users

Insects & Creepy-Crawlies
1

Hey everyone,

I’ve been seeing a ton of DIY ant killer recipes on Reddit lately — everything from borax and sugar mixes to essential oil sprays and even cornstarch traps. It seems like everyone has their own “guaranteed” formula, but results seem to vary a lot.

So I thought it’d be great to start a thread collecting what’s actually worked for people in real life.

Here are a few things I’ve seen mentioned a lot:

  • Borax + sugar water — classic homemade bait that supposedly wipes out entire colonies.

  • Baking soda + powdered sugar — said to kill ants by disrupting digestion.

  • Vinegar or lemon spray — more of a repellent than a killer, but people swear it keeps them away.

  • Diatomaceous earth — the “natural” option that’s safe for pets and humans.

What’s your go-to DIY ant killer? Have you tested any Reddit-recommended methods and actually seen results?

Let’s compare notes — maybe we can finally figure out what’s hype and what’s legit.

2

Borax and sugar water 100%. I used a 1:3 ratio, soaked it into cotton balls, and placed them near the entry points. It took about 3 days, but the ants disappeared completely.

3

Same here! Borax baits work wonders, but you have to be patient. The key is to let them take it back to the colony. Don’t kill the foragers right away.

4

I’ve tried everything — borax, baking soda, sprays — and what really worked for me was diatomaceous earth. Just sprinkle a thin layer along baseboards and under the sink. It’s slow but super effective.

5

I prefer natural stuff too. A mix of peppermint oil and water in a spray bottle keeps them from coming back. Smells good, safe for pets, and no chemicals!

6

If you go with borax baits, make sure to keep them away from pets and kids, borax isn’t totally harmless. I label mine and only place them in hidden spots.

7

Don’t overlook simple cleaning. I thought my bait wasn’t working until I wiped down every food surface with vinegar. Turns out they were finding crumbs I didn’t even notice.

8

Baking soda + powdered sugar worked for me, but only after a week or so. Not instant, but it did the trick in my pantry.

9

One thing Reddit gets right: consistency. Whichever method you use, refresh the bait every few days. Once it dries up, it’s useless.

10

I used cornstarch and water to make a paste, not sure where I read it, but it actually killed them overnight. Maybe coincidence, but I’m sticking with it!

11

Mixing methods worked best for me — borax bait inside, DE powder outside near the entry cracks. Haven’t seen a single ant in two months.