Add these essential oils to your floor cleaner to keep ants and other insects away.

 

Add These Essential Oils to Your Floor Cleaner to Keep Ants and Other Insects Away

If you’ve ever noticed a trail of ants marching across your kitchen floor — no matter how spotless it is — you’re not alone. Ants, flies, and other little intruders can sneak in through the tiniest cracks. But before you reach for chemical sprays, there’s a natural, affordable, and pleasantly scented solution: essential oils.

By adding just a few drops of the right essential oils to your floor cleaner, you can turn your regular mopping routine into a powerful, insect-repelling ritual — all while keeping your home smelling fresh and clean.

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🪴 Why Essential Oils Work

Many insects rely on their sense of smell to find food and mark trails. Essential oils disrupt those scent trails and overwhelm their tiny senses, sending them searching for somewhere else to live.

The bonus? You get a non-toxic cleaner that’s safe for kids, pets, and the environment.

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🌿 Best Essential Oils to Repel Ants and Insects

1. Peppermint Oil
The refreshing scent of peppermint is an instant mood-lifter for us — and a nightmare for ants and spiders. It masks pheromone trails and keeps pests from returning.
🧴 Add: 10 drops per gallon of cleaning solution

2. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has strong antimicrobial properties that not only deter bugs but also disinfect your floors naturally.
🧴 Add: 8–10 drops

3. Lemon or Lemongrass Oil
These citrus oils cut through grease and grime while keeping flies, mosquitoes, and ants away.
🧴 Add: 10 drops

4. Eucalyptus Oil
Fresh and invigorating, eucalyptus drives away cockroaches, ants, and even dust mites.
🧴 Add: 8 drops

5. Lavender Oil
A beautiful scent for humans, but insects can’t stand it. It’s especially effective against moths and mosquitoes.
🧴 Add: 6–8 drops

Bonus Mix Idea:
For a powerful all-around blend, try combining peppermint + tea tree + lemon oils. This trio smells amazing and provides broad-spectrum protection.

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🧼 How to Use in Your Floor Cleaner

You can add these oils to any homemade or store-bought floor cleaner. Here’s a simple recipe to make your own:

Natural Insect-Repelling Floor Cleaner:

• 1 gallon warm water

• ½ cup white vinegar (for shine and disinfection)

• 1 tablespoon castile soap or mild dish soap

• 20–25 drops essential oil (use a mix of the ones above)

Directions:

1. Mix ingredients in a mop bucket or spray bottle.

2. Mop floors as usual, focusing on corners, under appliances, and entryways.

3. No need to rinse — let the oils work their magic as they dry.

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🏡 Extra Tips to Keep Bugs Away Naturally

• Wipe counters and floors regularly — crumbs are magnets for ants.

• Store sweet or sticky foods in airtight containers.

• Place a few drops of peppermint or lemon oil on cotton balls and tuck them near doors or windows.

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Final Thoughts

Essential oils are one of the easiest ways to elevate your cleaning routine while keeping your home pest-free and smelling divine. With just a few drops added to your floor cleaner, you’ll create a natural barrier that ants and other insects can’t stand — and you’ll love how fresh your home feels.