Dried Orange Peels to Get Rid of Ants

Background

• Limonene, the aromatic oil that provides the distinctive orange peel scent, is concentrated in orange peels. Dried orange peels work well as food and tea flavoring and in potpourri due to their pungent essential oil. Along with other natural remedies such as cloves, orange peel and citrus oil have a history of use as natural pest repellents. Some products containing limonene state they are safe to use in food areas. Although dried orange peel doesn't bother most people, it can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Method

• A basic recipe for getting rid of ants calls for grinding orange peel in a blender with water and pouring the mixture into an ant colony on a warm day. Ant nests often have a recognizable mound. You may find an ant hill in your lawn, under shrubs, in hollow stumps or near the foundation of your house. Following a trail of ants can lead you to their nest.

  Applying orange peel pureed with water will discourage ants from crossing the area, according to Green Living Tips. (See References 2) For example, use this remedy at ant entry points to your home or along a kitchen counter.

Advantages

• Dried orange peel won't harm children or pets and is safe to use in the garden and in the home. It has a pleasant fragrance. Unlike some chemical pesticides, it's safe to breathe and use near food, herbs and food-producing plants. Placing dried orange peel around the base of plants may help to deter ants in the garden -- without adding toxins to your food.

  Even products containing limonene have a reputation for being safer and less-toxic than most chemical pesticides. (See References 1: limonene) If you use a pesticide product, including a natural product, read and follow all instructions and warnings.

Considerations

• Despite its long history of use, scientific evidence for the use of orange peel to get rid of ants is lacking. The concentration of limonene in orange peel may not be sufficient to get rid of ants. Dried orange peel may not deter ants as well as fresh orange peel.

  Orange peel and other home remedies aren't effective against fire ants, according to the North Carolina Cooperative Extension.