4 DYI Ant Hacks Debunked

By Dr. Jim Fredericks

Now more than ever, consumers don’t need to look far for pest control advice. From websites to social media to AI-generated answers, countless recommendations are produced in seconds, many involving ingredients already sitting in the kitchen.

It’s understandable how these hacks are appealing. They’re quick, inexpensive, easy to concoct. We’re seeing their popularity play out across our industry. Research conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of the National Pest Management Association found that 31% of Americans would try do-it-yourself (DIY) methods before calling a professional if they had an ant problem in their home, and 29% of Americans have used natural or home remedies to get rid of ants. The real kicker is that 31% of Americans have experienced ant problems in their home multiple times, suggesting that the infestation may not have been fully addressed.

The Professional Pest Management Alliance (the Alliance) saw an opportunity to confront this misinformation directly through “Don’t Try This at Home,” our first large-scale consumer campaign dedicated to testing popular DIY ant-control hacks.

We knew it wouldn’t be enough to tell homeowners that these methods don’t work. We needed to show them.

PUTTING IT TO THE TEST

Working with our partners at the New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board, we picked four remedies frequently promoted on social media and online articles, which included dried bay leaves, vinegar spray, lemon juice and a combination of ground black and cayenne pepper. A professional film crew captured the ants’ behavior, allowing us to answer a simple question with certainty: Would any of these hacks stop the ants? Here’s what happened.

Myth 1: Dried Bay Leaves Repel Ants

Reality: The ants ignored the leaves, whether they were whole or crumpled. Time-lapse footage showed the ants crawling directly over the dried bay leaves and continuing along their trail.

The lesson: An aroma that seems strong to us doesn’t translate into effective ant control.

Myth 2: Vinegar Spray Keeps Ants Away

Reality: The ants walked around the area sprayed.

This myth is likely rooted in the fact that ants communicate through chemical trails.

Vinegar may temporarily interfere with trails, but disrupting one route is not the same as stopping a colony. And when one path becomes inconvenient, ants find another, possibly one that’s harder to spot.

Myth 3: When Life Gives You Ants, Make Lemon Juice Spray

Reality: Once again, the ants ignored our homemade spray. They remained active, and the lemon juice did nothing to address the colony activity.

Myth 4: Pepper Creates a Physical Barrier

Result: Pepper is not going to do much besides create a temporary physical obstacle. Our pepper piles resulted in the ants quickly finding another path.

Together, the four tests exposed a more consequential misconception: If a household remedy makes visible ants scatter, the infestation is over. Wrong. Our messaging underlined that effective ant control requires looking beyond the ants consumers can see to the colony and the root of the infestation to stop the spread.

FINDINGS INTO MARKETING

The Alliance created “Don’t Try This at Home” to raise awareness among consumers that these tiny pests should not be underestimated. Ants pose threats to our health and homes, and tackling an infestation alone can lead to a more firmly entrenched, costly problem down the road. But the “Don’t Try This at Home” campaign also gives pest control professionals a framework for discussing DIY methods without ridiculing the people who try them.

1. Show, Then Explain

We produced multiple versions of the experiment footage for different social and digital formats. Pest control companies can share these assets to show precisely how the ants responded to each supposed remedy.

Once customers see ants ignoring a hack, explain what is happening. For instance, a short-term behavioral change from a few ants is not the same as colony-level control. That distinction is easier to understand when homeowners can see it for themselves.

2. Reframe the Problem

Move the conversation from the few ants on the countertop to the colony hidden from view. Explain that the ants a customer typically sees are foragers, and that blocking one trail does not eliminate the workers, queens or brood elsewhere.

The Alliance also developed an infographic leaning into the iceberg metaphor to make the point. Just as only a fraction of an iceberg is visible above the water, the ants on a countertop represent only a fraction of the total colony. There’s danger hidden beneath the surface. The true solution is professional inspection, knowledge of pest biology and a long-term strategy which become tangible parts of the value proposition for professionals.

KEEP A STEADY DRUMBEAT

The internet will continue offering simple answers to complicated pest problems. Our industry must respond with evidence that is equally accessible, far more credible and delivered without condescension.

This campaign is only a start. Keeping its impact going will require pest control organizations to reinforce the message through customer conversations, social content and education.

When we show consumers why a quick fix falls short, rather than simply telling them they are wrong, we help replace misinformation with understanding and make the value of professional pest management visible.

The author is executive director of the Professional Pest Management Alliance and senior vice president of public affairs for the National Pest Management Association. Learn more about the Alliance at www.npmapestworld.org/alliance and explore photos, videos and educational resources from this innovative project at DontTryThisAtHome.PestWorld.org.

Survey methodology: This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of NPMA between Jan. 29-Feb. 2, 2026, among 2,087 U.S. adults ages 18+. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For complete methodology, email NPMATeam@vaultcommunications.com.