If you’re looking for a safe, eco-friendly, and effective way to eliminate ants from your garden, banana peels might become your new best friend.
Not only does this method avoid harsh chemicals, but it also offers added benefits for your plants. In this guide, you’ll find simple steps to make your own ant repellent using banana peels—and why it works so well.
What You’ll Need
• Ripe banana peels
• 10 grams of boric acid (available at most pharmacies or chemical supply stores)
• Half a liter of hot water
• A large container
• A knife or scissors
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Your Natural Ant Repellent
1. Choose the right banana peels
Ants are especially drawn to the sweet scent of ripe bananas, particularly those with dark spots. Enjoy the fruit as usual and save the peels—they’ll form the base of your natural remedy.
2. Prepare the boric acid solution
In your container, mix 10 grams of boric acid with half a liter of hot water. Stir thoroughly until the boric acid is completely dissolved. Boric acid is a natural pesticide—harmless to the environment, but toxic to ants—making it a key part of this homemade solution.
3. Soak the peels
Place the banana peels into the boric acid mixture, making sure they’re fully submerged. Let them soak for at least four hours so they can thoroughly absorb the solution.
4. Cut the soaked peels into small pieces
Once soaked, remove the peels and use scissors or a knife to slice them into small chunks. This makes it easier for the ants to carry them back to their nest.
5. Distribute the pieces around your garden
Scatter the banana peel bits in areas where you notice the most ant activity—under shrubs, near flower pots, or along garden paths. Be strategic with your placement for the best results.
6. Disrupt the ant colony at its source
Attracted by the scent, ants will carry the treated peel fragments back to their nest. Gradually, the boric acid builds up in their systems and begins to affect the entire colony—including the queen.
Additional Benefits for Your Plants
Aside from repelling ants, banana peels naturally decompose and enrich the soil with valuable nutrients, serving as a gentle fertilizer for your garden. So while you’re keeping pests at bay, you’re also feeding your plants.
Important Reminders
• Avoid using this method in areas where pets or small children might come into contact with the treated peels.
• A little boric acid goes a long way—don’t overdo it.
• Reapply the treatment once a week until you see a noticeable drop in the ant population.
Why Choose a Natural Solution?
Unlike chemical pesticides, this DIY ant control method won’t harm helpful garden insects like bees and ladybugs. It’s safer for your soil, your plants, and the environment as a whole.
With just a few simple ingredients, you can control ants in your garden without resorting to toxic sprays. Plus, you’ll be recycling banana peels in a way that benefits both your plants and the planet. Ready to give it a try?