Ants are one of the most common household visitors in Australia, and you can deter most of them without reaching for harsh chemicals. Natural options such as peppermint oil, vinegar and simple physical barriers work by disrupting the scent trails ants rely on to find food, which encourages them to look elsewhere.
This guide walks through the natural methods that help, how to use them room by room, the Australian ants worth knowing about, and the few situations where a natural repellent is not the right tool.
Why Ants Come Inside
Ants send out scouts in search of food and water. When a scout finds a source, it lays down a scent trail so the rest of the colony can follow. That is why ants often appear in a neat line, and why a single crumb can turn into a steady stream within hours.
Two things keep ants coming
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An available food or water source
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The scent trail leading to it
Remove both, and most natural deterrents have a far better chance of working.
What Keeps Ants Away Naturally?
Most natural deterrents work by masking or breaking up the scent trails ants follow. Options households across Australia commonly use include:
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Peppermint oil, a strong scent ants tend to avoid, often applied along entry points.
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Other essential oils such as tea tree, eucalyptus and citrus, used in a similar way.
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White vinegar, wiped over surfaces to lift away existing scent trails.
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Citrus peel and cinnamon, placed near doorways and windowsills.
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Coffee grounds, sometimes scattered around outdoor nests and entryways.
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Food-grade diatomaceous earth, used outdoors along trails and nest edges.
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Cleaning and sealing, which removes the food and access that draw ants in.
The most reliable results usually come from combining a deterrent with good kitchen hygiene and sealed entry points, rather than relying on any single method.
Does Peppermint Oil Actually Repel Ants?
Peppermint oil is one of the most widely used natural ant deterrents. Because ants navigate by following pheromone trails, the strong scent of peppermint is thought to interfere with their ability to read those trails and stay on course. Many households apply diluted peppermint oil, or a ready-made peppermint spray, along skirting boards, doorways and windowsills to create a barrier ants prefer to go around.
It helps to think of peppermint as a deterrent rather than a treatment for a nest. It works best as a preventative barrier, and it needs topping up over time, especially outdoors or after you have cleaned the area. Applied consistently, a peppermint barrier is a simple way to make your home less inviting to ants.
Getting Rid Of Ants In The Kitchen
The kitchen is where most ant problems begin, because it offers easy food and water. A steady routine works better than a one-off blitz:
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Wipe down benches, then go over ant trails with a vinegar solution or a peppermint surface spray to remove the scent.
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Store open food in sealed containers, and clear crumbs and spills promptly.
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Empty and rinse bins regularly, and check under the sink for moisture.
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Apply a natural deterrent along the back of benches, around appliances and near any gaps where ants travel.
A peppermint-based surface spray suits kitchen use because it can be applied around food-preparation areas. Always check the product label for guidance on surfaces and food zones before you spray.
Keeping Ants Out Of The House
Stopping ants at the door is easier than clearing them once they are inside. Focus on the points where they get in:
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Find the entry points, usually doorways, window frames, skirting boards and gaps around pipes.
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Wipe these areas to remove existing scent trails.
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Apply a natural deterrent as a barrier, and reapply as the scent fades.
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Seal obvious gaps with filler or weather stripping so ants have fewer ways in.
Used consistently around doorways, windows and food zones, a peppermint barrier helps stop ants before they reach your benches.
Getting Rid Of Ants Outside
Outdoors, the goal is to keep ants away from the areas you actually use, rather than clearing the whole garden.
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Treat BBQ areas, outdoor furniture, patios, pet-feeding spots and bin zones with a deterrent.
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Reapply after rain or heavy cleaning, since water washes barriers away.
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Keep outdoor eating areas free of food scraps and rubbish sealed.
Ants play a useful role in the garden, aerating soil and clearing away organic matter, so targeted deterrence around your living spaces is usually more practical than trying to remove them altogether.
Common Australian Ants Worth Knowing
Australia is home to a wide range of ants. A couple are worth recognising around the home:
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Green tree ants, sometimes called green ants, are common in warmer northern regions. They nest in trees and can deliver a sharp bite. Natural deterrents and keeping them clear of entryways generally help around the house.
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Bull ants are large ants known for a painful sting. Take care near their nests, and keep children and pets away. If a nest sits close to the house, it is safer to arrange professional help than to disturb it.
For the everyday nuisance ants that appear on kitchen benches and patios, natural deterrents are generally enough.
Red imported fire ants are a serious invasive pest in parts of Queensland, and they are a notifiable biosecurity concern. This is one situation where a home repellent is not appropriate. Do not attempt to treat a suspected fire ant nest yourself, and do not disturb it, as this can cause the colony to spread.
If you think you have found fire ants, report them to the relevant biosecurity authority so they can be managed properly. Reporting is the responsible step, and it helps protect your local area.
When Natural Methods Aren't Enough
Natural deterrents suit everyday nuisance ants. Some situations call for more:
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Large or recurring infestations that return despite good hygiene and deterrence may need professional pest control.
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White ants, better known as termites, are not true ants at all, and they can cause serious structural damage. If you suspect termites, arrange a licensed timber-pest inspection rather than trying to treat them yourself.
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Persistent indoor nests, or ants nesting inside wall cavities, may also warrant a professional assessment.
A Ready-Made Natural Option: Ants Gone
If you would rather skip mixing your own sprays, OzKleen Ants Gone is a peppermint-based surface spray made to repel and deter ants around the home. It works by disrupting ant trails and entry points to create a long-lasting peppermint barrier that ants tend to avoid.
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Made with a blend of botanical extracts and peppermint oil.
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A non-toxic formula, free from chlorine, ammonia and VOCs.
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Suitable for many surfaces, including benchtops, natural stone and outdoor furniture (check the label for specifics).
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Manufactured in Queensland, Australia.
Use it as a preventative barrier around doorways, windows and food zones, and reapply outdoors after rain to keep the barrier working. Shop Ants Gone or find it at a stockist near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do ants hate the most?
Strong scents such as peppermint, citrus, vinegar and cinnamon are commonly used to deter ants, because they disrupt the scent trails ants rely on to navigate.
Does peppermint keep ants away for good?
Peppermint works as a deterrent barrier rather than a permanent fix. It needs reapplying over time, particularly outdoors or after cleaning, to stay effective.
Do natural repellents kill ants, or just repel them?
Most natural options, including peppermint sprays, are designed to deter and repel ants rather than to kill them. For an established nest or a large infestation, deterrence alone may not be enough.
Are natural ant repellents safe around pets and children?
Many plant-based repellents are formulated with household safety in mind, but you should always read the label and follow the directions for use before applying around pets, children or food areas.
Why do ants keep coming back?
Ants return when a food source or an existing scent trail remains. Combining a deterrent with good hygiene and sealed entry points gives you the best chance of keeping them away.
Ready to keep ants out the natural way? Shop Ants Gone and set up a simple peppermint barrier around your home.