6 Ways That Cloves Keep Ants Away (And Why They Work)

Ant infestations can be a real nuisance – especially when you find them crawling all over your home! One lesser-known, but effective, method for repelling ants is using cloves. Originating from the clove tree, these aromatic flower buds not only boast a warm and sweet flavor with a peppery kick in culinary dishes but also possess potent properties that ants find repulsive.
Understanding why ants dislike cloves is quite interesting—it has to do with their chemical composition. Cloves contain a natural compound called eugenol, which is responsible for their strong, distinct aroma. This pungent smell is effective at masking ants’ scent trails and disrupting their communication, ultimately making your home less inviting for these tiny invaders.
So, let’s explore six creative ways to incorporate this powerful spice into your ant-fighting arsenal.
Key Takeaways:
- Cloves are an effective, natural method for repelling ants due to their strong aroma and eugenol content.
- Utilizing cloves in various ways can help minimize ant infestations and make your home less attractive to these pests.
- While cloves offer an eco-friendly solution, be open to exploring other natural ant control methods to ensure a pest-free environment.
Understanding Cloves and Their ant-repelling Properties

Cloves are the dried flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum plant. They have been used for centuries in various ways, such as a food preservative and in traditional medicine. The active component responsible for the cloves’ properties is eugenol. This potent substance is found in clove oil and gives cloves their characteristic aroma and flavor.
Cloves are known for their powerful antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. In the context of repelling ants, the most relevant property is their antimicrobial action. This can disrupt the ants’ communication, which relies on pheromones, making it hard for them to follow their scent trails and ultimately leading them away.
So why do ants dislike cloves? It’s all about the eugenol present in the cloves. An article from the Journal of Economic Entomology found that clove powder had a 99% repellency effect on ants after just 3 hours. The study notes that the amount of eugenol is not as significant when trying to repel ants. Instead, the amount of time that ants are exposed to eugenol is what makes them go away!
So, even if your clove oil doesn’t seem like it’s working at first, give it some time to work its magic and you’ll see a remarkable decrease in ant activity.
6 Ways To Use Cloves To Repel Ants

Have you ever wondered how your kitchen could become ant-free, just by using cloves! Well, it turns out that cloves contain a natural chemical compound called eugenol which is a natural repellent for ants.
Eugenol affects the ants’ senses, disturbs their communication, and ultimately keeps them away. So, let’s delve into six creative ways to use cloves to repel ants effectively!
- Scatter whole cloves: Place whole cloves on windowsills, near doorways, or any other entry points where ants might be sneaking in. This will create a barrier and keep them from invading your spaces. CEYLONFLAVORS FRESH AND PURE Organic Hand Picked Whole Cloves will have ants moving in the opposite direction.
- Cloves in cotton balls: You can also soak cotton balls in clove essential oil and place them strategically in the areas where ants frequent. The oil will gradually evaporate, releasing the eugenol and repelling those pesky invaders. Brooklyn Botany Clove Essential Oil works great for this purpose.
- Clove-infused water spray: Mix a few drops of clove essential oil and water in a spray bottle, then spritz away at ant trails, corners, and gaps where ants roam. Be consistent in spraying, and they’ll avoid your home like the plague.
Keep in mind that using 100% pure clove essential oil is crucial for these tactics to be effective.
- Cloves in pantry: Place a few cloves in your pantry among cereals, flours, and sugar containers. Ants dislike the smell, so they’ll think twice before having a snack!
- Clove sachets: Make sachets filled with whole cloves and place them in your drawers, near your garbage can, or tucked into nooks and crannies where ants might find their way in. You may even consider hanging them around by using hooks or simply laid flat.
- Clove powder: Finely ground clove powder can be applied around the edges of your countertop, behind appliances, or near the base of cabinets where ants traipse. Try SPICE TRAIN, Ground Cloves for this method.
Other Natural Ways to Repel Ants

In addition to cloves, there are several other natural ways to repel ants and keep them away from your home. Let’s explore some other methods to send ants packing with ease!
Using Essential Oils
Essential oils can be highly effective in repelling ants. Some common essential oil scents that repel ants include:
Essential Oil | Main Ingredient that Repels Ants | Why Ants Don’t Like It |
---|---|---|
Peppermint | Menthol | Ants are repelled by the strong scent of menthol, which can also mask the pheromone trails they use to navigate. |
Lemon | Limonene | Ants dislike the strong citrus scent of limonene, which can also disrupt their pheromone trails. |
Tea Tree | Terpinen-4-ol | Ants are deterred by the strong scent of terpinen-4-ol, which can also interfere with their communication and navigation. |
Eucalyptus | Eucalyptol | Ants dislike the strong scent of eucalyptol, which can also mask their pheromone trails and make it harder for them to find food sources. |
Cinnamon | Cinnamaldehyde | Ants are repelled by the strong scent of cinnamaldehyde, which can also disrupt their pheromone trails and confuse their navigation. |
To make an ant-repellent spray, simply mix a few drops of your chosen essential oil with water in a spray bottle. Spray this around the areas where you’ve spotted ants, and prepare to witness their retreat!
The strong scent of these oils disrupts the ants’ scent trails, making it difficult for them to find their way back to their colony.
Utilizing Kitchen Spices
Believe it or not, many common kitchen spices can also serve as natural ant repellents. Here are some of your best allies in the fight against ants:
- Cinnamon: Draw a line of cinnamon around the area you want to protect, and ants will hesitate to cross it.
- Cayenne pepper: Sprinkle cayenne pepper along ant trails and watch as they lose their way. The strong scent confuses their navigation.
- Black pepper: Just like cayenne pepper, black pepper can be a useful way to deter ants. Spread it around the area you wish to keep ants away from.
- Mint: Plant mint around the perimeter of your home or use dried mint leaves in problem areas. Its refreshing scent will keep those pesky ants at bay.
Employing Citrus Peels
Citrus peels are another great solution to keep ants away without using harsh chemicals. Both lemon and orange peels contain natural compounds that ants find unappetizing. Here’s how you can use citrus peels effectively:
- Collect the peels of oranges, lemons, or other citrus fruits.
- Allow the peels to dry out for a few days.
- Once dried, crush the peels into a fine powder. You can use a blender, coffee grinder, or even a mortar and pestle.
- Gently sprinkle the powder around the infested area or in places where you suspect ants might enter your home. The strong citrus scent will deter ants, yet leave a fresh smell around your home.
These natural methods can help you keep your home ant-free without resorting to harsh chemicals. Experiment with different essential oils, spices, and citrus peels to find the perfect combination that works best for repelling ants from your space!
Preventing Ant Infestations

Securing Food Sources
Do your best to keep your kitchen clean and store food in sealed containers. PRAKI Airtight Food Storage Container Set is a great way to seal in smells and avoid attracting ants.
Ants have quite a sense of smell, and they love sugar! By eliminating their food sources, you can discourage them from invading your home in the first place.
Cloves are a fantastic natural repellent; ants can’t stand their strong smell. You can put whole cloves or ground cloves in small containers and place them around your kitchen to help keep ants away.
Sealing Cracks and Crevices
Ants can be pretty resourceful when it comes to finding their way into your home. Seal up any cracks and crevices you find around windows, doorways, and other parts of your home.
This will make it harder for ants to enter, but don’t forget to incorporate cloves in your sealing process for an extra layer of protection. You can mix some ground cloves into a paste-like substance with a little water and apply it around the cracks and crevices. Ants will avoid the area due to the strong smell of cloves.
Establishing Ant-Proof Pet Areas
As pet owners, you know that pet food can be a magnet for ants. But don’t worry! You can create a barrier that ants won’t cross by using cloves. Here are some ways to use cloves in your pet areas:
- Place whole cloves around your pet’s food and water dishes to deter ants.
- Make a spray by steeping cloves in water, and spray it around the pet area.
- Mix ground cloves with water to create a paste, and apply it around your pet’s food dish.
- Use a small bowl or saucer filled with water to create a “moat” around your pet’s food dish, and add a few whole cloves to the water.
- Sprinkle ground cloves around the pet area, creating a barrier that ants will avoid.
By incorporating cloves into your ant prevention methods, you can enjoy a more ant-free home! Remember that pests often adapt over time, so occasionally revisiting and updating your prevention methods is essential.
Alternative Ant Control Methods
Instead of utilizing harmful chemicals that may negatively impact your home and the environment, there are alternative ant control methods worth considering.
Seeking Professional Extermination
If you’re facing a severe ant infestation and natural methods aren’t working, you might want to consult a professional exterminator. These services often provide targeted solutions based on the type of ant and the specific situation presented.
Use our nationwide pest control finder to connect with a pest control expert in your local area. They can evaluate how the ants are getting in and give suggestions on how to keep them out naturally.
In addition to exterminators, you can also find products such as boric acid and ant traps at hardware and grocery stores. Always read the directions on these products to ensure proper use.
Wrapping Things Up
Cloves: Ants’ Kryptonite! These small, aromatic flower buds pack a punch against pesky invaders. Let’s review how cloves can help you keep ants away.
Cloves contain compounds like eugenol and beta-caryophyllene, which have been found to be toxic and repellent to ants.
Now let’s discuss six creative ways to use cloves to combat ants:
Sure, here are six creative ways to use cloves to repel ants:
- Whole cloves: Place whole cloves near ant entry points or in areas where ants are known to gather. The strong scent of cloves can help deter ants from entering your home.
- Clove oil on cotton balls: Soak cotton balls in clove oil and place them near ant entry points or in areas where ants are known to gather. The scent of the clove oil can help repel ants.
- Clove-infused water spray: Boil a handful of cloves in a pot of water for 10-15 minutes. Strain the cloves and pour the clove-infused water into a spray bottle. Use the spray to mist areas where ants are known to gather.
- Cloves in pantry: Place whole cloves in your pantry or on pantry shelves to help repel ants. Cloves can also help keep other pantry pests, such as moths and beetles, at bay.
- Clove sachets: Make small sachets filled with whole cloves and place them in areas where ants are known to gather. You can also add other herbs, such as bay leaves or lavender, to the sachets for added pest-repelling power.
- Clove powder: Sprinkle clove powder near ant entry points or in areas where ants are known to gather. You can also mix clove powder with other spices, such as cinnamon or cayenne pepper, for added pest-repelling power.
To give a brief recap, cloves are a powerful tool to repel ants using natural methods. Their unique properties make them both toxic and repellent to ants, keeping them away from your spaces.
By incorporating cloves into your ant-repellent strategies, you can effectively prevent these unwanted guests from crashing your party with a touch of creativity and a lovely aroma. Good luck, and may the power of cloves be with you!
Zack is a Nature & Wildlife specialist based in Upstate, NY, and is the founder of his Tree Journey and Pest Pointers brands. He has a vast experience with nature while living and growing up on 50+ acres of fields, woodlands, and a freshwater bass pond. Zack has encountered many pest situations over the years and has spent his time maintaining and planting over 35 species of trees since his youth with his family on their property.

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