When ants infest your home and move around your potted plants they can cause a number of problems. Generally, ants love and tend to get attracted to honeydew that is usually made by insect pests such as aphids, whiteflies and mealybugs.
There are quite a number of methods that can be used to get rid of them. This post will provide the details on some of the effective methods on how to get rid of them.
The question is, how do you get rid of the ants in potted plants? As pointed out there are several methods on how you can get rid of the ants in potted plants. You can change the soil of the plant and add some insecticide repellents or the other effective way is to destroy the entire ant colony with ant baits. Be careful not to damage the root system of the plant when changing the soil.
While trying to keep the potted plants safely from the ants, you should be ready to deal with ants’ infestation. Some plants are naturally attractive to ants. This makes them prone to ants hence a threat to them.
Let’s go directly on ways to effectively get rid of ants in potted plants. This post is prepared specifically for you with some recommended products that works just fine.
Instructions: How to get rid of ants out of potted plants
Ants’ infestation can be annoying. Think of the damage they can cause on your potted plants. If left unattended, the damage can be far and wide. It is advisable to destroy the ants and its entire colony. To do this, we advise you apply one of our methods or use both. This is a sure way to destroy the entire colony meaning the problem won’t bother for some time.
Here are the methods:
1. Ant baits & Insecticide Dust
This is a simple method to get rid of the ants effectively. You only need to identify the routes of the ants are using to get around your plants. Once you find them, place the ant baits next to the potted plant. Among the best ant bait is liquid ant bait –Buy on Amazon– that is safe to use around and in your home.
Terro T300B Liquid Ant Bait Killer is effective in the following ways:
- Can make up to 12 baits
- Attract the ants fast
- Kills all common household ants
- Made such that it doesn’t dry out easily
You can as well use insecticide dust which is also very effective. It is easy to use. Just apply the dust around your potted plants and the on the ant trails. This method will take effect almost immediately keeping the ants far away from your potted plants. Buy on Amazon.
2. Ant Spray
Another effective method to get rid of ants in your potted plants is simply using a natural spray or insecticide. A natural spray kills and repels not just ants but roaches, spiders and pests. It is safe to use too meaning they are made from natural and non- toxic ingredients. There are variety of insecticides that works instantly giving you value for your money – Buy on Amazon.
3. Change the Soil
To get rid of the ants that move around your potted plants, consider changing the soil. This method too works fine. This helps to remove any ants that lives on your plant. Just be careful not to damage your plant root system.
How to Get rid of Ants in Outside Potted Plants
We’ve mentioned the use of ant baits as one of the method to deal with ants that invade potted plants place outside. The method will eliminate the ants for good. Ant baits tend to destroy their entire colony.
Here is one of the BEST recommended Ant Killer Bait to use:
Terro 1806 Outdoor Liquid Ant Bait- Buy on Amazon
Some of its key features that makes it best include:
- kills both the visible and ants that you can’t see
- ready to use pre filled bait stations
- has borax as one of the ingredients
Why are ants attracted in potted plants?
A number of reasons can be the cause of ants invading your home and finding their way around your potted plants. As earlier discussed, some ants or insects that produce honeydew which ants use for food. This among other reasons could be the reason why ants are attracted in your potted plants. Other reasons include:
Old potting mix
The old potting soil tend to lose its ability to absorb water, not so well as fresh mix. If this happens you end with dry soil usually full of cracks. The cracks become the habitat for ants to inhabit. As soon as you notice the soil isn’t absorbing water, then change it. Be careful not to damage the roots.
Pest insects
Insect such as aphid, mealybugs and whiteflies are known to produce honeydew that the ants find it appealing. An infestation of ants in your potted plants could be the reason of the honeydew from the pest insects.
Dry soil or inconsistent watering
This could be another reason for ant infestation in one or many of your potted plants. When the pot dries it leaves the soil shrunk due to lack of water or inconsistent watering. Excessive water, can also become very attract to ants especially during hot summers.
Potted plants that are attractive to ants
This information is to help you understand why you could be having an infestation in your potted plant. Some plants naturally attract ants for the common reason; the nectar produced contains sugar.
Some of the plants that attract ants include: peonies, wild parsnip and desert willow. The reason why the ants get attracted to these plants is that nectar they produce.
How to get rid of ants in potted tomato plants
If you are having tomato plants and ants have infested them, this is how you can get rid of them with effective home remedies:
Cucumber peels – you can place cucumber peels around your plant. The smell of cucumber is a natural deterrent that can keep the ants away from the tomato
Peppermint has proven to be a natural ant repellent. Place it near your tomatoes plants to keep them away.
Garlic spray – make garlic spray and use it on the tomato potted plant and around it. You can use it regularly to give effective results
Home remedies for ants in Potted Plants – Natural methods
To get rid of ants in potted plants, you can use any or a combination of natural home remedies. They give effective results:
Lemon Spray – a spray that has lemon juice and water is enough to keep your potted plant safe from infestation of ants. You can add orange juice for effective results.
Coffee grounds – the smell of coffee is a natural deterrent to keep the ants away from your potted plant
Garlic spray – this homemade spray is effective to get rid of ants in potted plants. Mix garlic, oil and water into spray and apply directly on the plant. Use it several times to keep the ants away for good.
Peppermint spray – peppermint has the ability to keep most pests away from your home and in near or around plants. Use the recommended peppermint essential oil – Buy on Amazon- from majestic pure peppermint essential oil store
Some of the key features of Peppermint Essential oil include: It is pure and natural. It offers multiples household uses such as cooling sensation.
White Vinegar
White vinegar is another effective home remedy to get rid of ants’ infestation around your potted plant. Use vinegar to get rid of stubborn ant colony. Take precaution when using white vinegar, it can cause some plants to die due to the acidity of the vinegar.
Tips to prevent ants in potted plants
Here are some of the tips or measures to prevent ants in potted plants:
- NEVER allow your potting mix to be consistently dry
- Make it a habit to replace the mix in the pot
- Soak the mix if you notice it has become a water repellant
Conclusion
Ant infestation can be an irritation problem in your home and around your potted plants. Always keep an eye to make sure you can effectively deal with an infestation. Don’t wait until their numbers grow, it can be hard and overwhelming to deal with. With the information provided herein, it is possible to deal with ants’ infestation effectively with products mentioned in the post. Naturally, you can get rid of the ants with home remedies discussed.
