Ants are a common problem in the home. They can be found in your pantry, bathroom, and even on plants. Ants will eat any kind of food but prefer sweet things like honey or nectar.
To get rid of ants from plants you need to eliminate their food source and then bait them with a poison that only ants will take back to their colony so they die there instead of returning as well!
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| Natural and effective ways to control ants and other pests include using cinnamon, diatomaceous earth, and borax. |
| Plant debris and moisture attract ants, so it’s essential to keep your planters and surrounding areas clean and dry. |
| Pesticides are not recommended for use in plant pots, as they can harm plants and the environment. Natural solutions are better. |
| There are plenty of resources available online to help you tackle ant problems, including detailed guides from gardening experts. |
| Prevention is key when it comes to ants in your planters. By taking steps to deter ants, you can avoid future infestations and keep your plants healthy. |
Isopropyl Alcohol
If you have ants on your plants, you can use isopropyl alcohol to kill them. It’s a natural ant repellent! Isopropyl alcohol is also good because it’ll kill other bugs that might be living on your plant, like gnats or fruit flies.
To use this method:
- Spray or pour the isopropyl alcohol over the ant trails and throughout the area where ants are coming from. This will keep them from returning in the future if you do this every day for about 3 days.
- To make sure all of the ants are gone, wait another 24 hours before watering your plant again (so their eggs don’t hatch).
Are you tired of dealing with pesky cockroaches in your apartment? Look no further than our article on How to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Apartments – Find Out, where we share natural and effective methods for eliminating these unwanted pests.
Borax
Borax is a natural mineral that has been used to kill ants for centuries. It’s safe for humans, but it can be toxic to pets and plants so make sure to keep it away from them.
Some people also have allergies to borax, so if you’re experiencing side effects after using it as an ant killer, stop immediately and seek medical attention.
| Benefits | Limitations |
|---|---|
| Kills adult ants and larvae | Can be toxic to pets and humans if ingested in large quantities |
| Cost-effective and widely available | May not be effective against all ant species |
| Easy to use and apply | Takes time to see results (up to several days) |
| Can be added to bait or barrier solutions | May need to reapply after rainy weather or watering |
Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly is a great way to get rid of ants. It is non-toxic and safe for plants, making it a great option if you want to keep your plant alive while removing the ant colony.
You can use petroleum jelly on the leaves, stems, and roots of your plants to stop ants from crawling up into them as well.
Petroleum jelly also works well on other insects in addition to ants. In fact, many gardeners report that they’ve successfully used it against aphids (plant lice), caterpillars, snails and slugs! Petroleum jelly can be used both indoors and outdoors but should be applied only when temperatures are above freezing point because it doesn’t do well below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4°C).
Say goodbye to fire ants once and for all with this secret weapon – Boric Acid. At Unified Shields, we’ve tested and proven the effectiveness of boric acid for fire ant control, and our article shares everything you need to know about this powerful solution.
Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper can be added to the water of your plants. Ants have a hard time getting used to spicy foods and will avoid them thereafter, so this is a good way to keep them at bay.
Cayenne pepper can also be used in a homemade spray bottle. The easiest way I’ve found that works best for me is simply filling up an empty bottle with water and adding cayenne pepper until it’s saturated (but not too much—you don’t want it spilling all over). Then, shake well before using on your plants.
If you want something more natural than commercial pesticides but don’t want to make your own ant bait or traps, try sprinkling cayenne powder around the perimeter of your garden or house where there are ants coming through cracks and crevices in the foundation (they love these types of places).
You’ll need less cayenne powder than if you were using it in liquid form because it has better absorption once dry rather than wet – so just sprinkle liberally around where they’re entering/exiting and watch as they go crazy trying not only not touch but walk away from this stuff!
Are sugar ants invading your space? Don’t fret – there are natural ways to eliminate these pests. Our article on How to Get Rid of Sugar Ants Naturally covers everything you need to know to keep your home ant-free without harmful chemicals.
Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds are a natural pesticide, meaning they kill insects. Specifically, coffee grounds are a great way to eliminate ants from your garden or plants.
Cleaned and used coffee grounds can be applied directly to the soil around the base of plants (not in the middle of flower beds).
Just sprinkle some on top of the soil and water down well; use 4 tablespoons per plant every three weeks throughout the growing season.
This method is safe for most plants, but it’s not recommended for ferns or sensitive flowers such as tulips or peonies because it may cause browning at its base where it touches them
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a great way to keep ants away from your plants. You can sprinkle cinnamon on the ground around your plant, or you can sprinkle it into the soil of your plants. If you have ants on leaves, sprinkle cinnamon onto their bodies and they will fall off when they try to eat again!
Finding it hard to keep ants out of your kitchen? Our pro tips for How to Get Rid of Ants in the Kitchen can help. From sealing food containers to identifying entry points, our article provides practical solutions for keeping your kitchen ant-free
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a powdery substance made up of fossilized algae. It has sharp, jagged edges that can cut through the outer shell of insects and kill them by dehydration.
When ants come in contact with diatomaceous earth, their exoskeletons are torn apart and they die from dehydration. The best way to use diatomaceous earth around plants is to lightly dust the soil or cover it with a thin layer of the powder so you don’t end up killing beneficial insects like ladybugs and bees.
How often you apply DE will depend on what works for your situation; once every two weeks should be enough for most plant types, but if you have a large infestation or an especially sensitive plant type (like succulents), you may have to reapply more frequently until the problem is resolved
Dishwashing Liquid and Water
You can also use dishwashing liquid to get rid of ants. This method is a little less effective than using alcohol, but it can still help keep your plant safe from these pests.
To use this method, mix water and dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle. Then, spray it onto the leaves of your plants and let sit for several hours to kill off any ants that may be crawling around (and hopefully their eggs).
After waiting a few hours, rinse off the solution with water so that you don’t make your house smell like dish soap! Repeat as needed until all traces of ants are gone from your plant leaves
| Benefits | Limitations |
|---|---|
| Inexpensive and easily available | May need to reapply the solution frequently |
| Highly effective as a temporary solution | Not effective at eliminating an entire ant colony |
| Safe to use around pets and young children | May be less effective against certain ant species |
| Easy to mix and apply without special equipment | May cause damage to certain surfaces if left for too long |
Orange Peel Extract
If you’re looking for a way to kill ants, then orange peel extract is the way to go. It’s easy to make and can do wonders for your plants. Here’s how:
- Get an orange and cut it open with a knife or peeler.
- Remove all of the seeds from inside, but leave some of the pulp behind (you don’t want too little pulp).
- Place all this in a jar or container with some water at room temperature (no need for hot/cold water) in it for 3-4 days, until everything has dissolved into solution form (it will look like juice when done).
Dealing with ants in your yard can be frustrating, but there are natural solutions to the problem. Our article on How to Get Rid of Ants Naturally Outside shares effective methods for controlling ants in outdoor spaces without harming other wildlife or the environment
Sea Salt and Warm Water Spray
This method is a little more involved than the previous one, but it can be very effective. To begin, you will need to mix 1/2 cup of water with 1/2 cup of salt in a spray bottle.
Next, spray this solution on the plants and around their base to ensure that all ants are exposed to the salt in their environment. Let this mixture sit for 30 minutes before rinsing off with warm water and wiping dry with a towel or cloth.
Use Ant Bait Stations
Ants are notoriously difficult to get rid of because they live in colonies. They have a queen and many workers who work together to build the colony by finding food, building nests, and caring for young ants. This makes it very hard for you as an individual homeowner to control them.
One way to get rid of ants is with ant bait stations. These are made by companies that sell pest control products, and they contain a sweet substance that ants love to eat (but not you!).
When an ant finds the bait station, it takes the bait back to its nest where other members of the colony will eat it too!
This works because when one member of a colony dies from eating poison, this signals danger—and so other members won’t go near that area anymore either!
Use White Vinegar and Water as a Spray Solution to Kill Ants on Plants
If you have a plant that’s infested with ants, you can use white vinegar and water as a spray solution to kill the insects.
To do this, dilute one part white vinegar with eight parts water in a spray bottle. Apply the mixture directly to the leaves of your plant and allow it to dry.
Before using this method for killing ants on plants, consider some important details:
This is only effective on small populations of ants—you may need to repeat if there were many more than you realized were present in your garden or home
Conclusion
So, if you have ants in your garden, we hope our article helped you to get rid of them. If not, try using some methods that we didn’t mention here and let us know how they worked for you!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to help you control ants and other pests:
Natural Way to Keep Ants off Plants: This detailed article from Kellogg Garden shares natural methods for keeping ants off your outdoor plants.
How to Remove Ants from Potted Plants: WikiHow provides a step-by-step guide for effectively removing ants from your indoor or outdoor potted plants.
Get Rid Of Ants in Planter Pots: Pinch of Seeds offers practical solutions for dealing with ants in your planter pots that won’t harm your plants.
FAQs
Q: Why do ants like to invade planter pots?
A: Ants are attracted to the organic matter in potting soil and the moisture provided by watering. They may also be looking for shelter or a home for their colony.
Q: How can I tell if my plant has an ant infestation?
A: Look for visible ants crawling around the surface of the soil or on the leaves of the plant. You may also notice small piles of soil around the base of the plant, which can indicate ant activity.
Q: Are ants harmful to plants?
A: For the most part, ants are not harmful to plants. However, they can create tunnels in the soil that can dry out the roots and make it harder for the plant to absorb water and nutrients.
Q: Can I use pesticides to get rid of ants in my planter pots?
A: It is not recommended to use pesticides in your planter pots, as they can harm your plant and the surrounding environment. Instead, try natural methods like cinnamon or diatomaceous earth.
Q: How do I prevent ants from invading my planter pots in the future?
A: To prevent future ant infestations, keep your planters clean and free of debris. You can also try using a barrier of cinnamon or diatomaceous earth around the base of the pot to deter ants.
Hello! I’m Hellen James, and I write about how to keep pests from invading your home. For the last 10 years, I’ve been working in pest control and am excited to share my expertise with you!
