Are your potted plants under siege by ants? This is understandably frustrating as these tiny invaders can harm your beloved indoor garden’s health. Let’s learn how to get rid of ants in potted plants in this guide.
While ants themselves are not harmful to potted plants, they often farm aphids who drain the plant’s nutrients and spread diseases. Also, ants can disrupt the soil structure, harm plant roots as they build their nests, and undermine your potted plants’ aesthetics.
So, take action to prevent and evict these unwanted insects. Below are proven strategies.
How To Get Rid Of Ants In Potted Plants
1. Address Underlying Issues
To effectively eliminate ants, first combat the root causes. These are:
a) Control Pests
Pests like aphids and scale insects on your plants can lure ants to your potted plants because they produce honeydew, a sugary substance that ants love. Inspect your plants, and treat them if you find aphids or other sap-sucking pests.
Treat pest-infested potted plants with insecticidal soap, neem oil, rubbing alcohol, or diluted mild dish soap. You can also remove the pests manually or with a blast of water.
Read More:
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- How To Get Rid Of Aphids In The Garden
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b) Improve Drainage
Ants nest in damp environments, so your potted plants will be prone to ant invasions if the soil remains consistently moist. Make your potted plants less attractive to ants by improving drainage and preventing excess moisture.
- Ensure your plant pots have enough drainage holes.
- Allow the soil’s top inch to dry prior to watering your plants again. Also, monitor the soil’s moisture levels with a meter to avoid overwatering.
- If your pot has a saucer, empty it regularly to prevent standing water.
- Consider changing the soil.
2. Natural Ways to Get Rid Of Ants in Potted Plants
For the healthiest and safest ways to eliminate ants in your potted plants, choose natural remedies. Let’s check these solutions.
i) Sprinkle Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a great ant repellent. It won’t kill the ants but will ensure they stay clear of your potted plants by disrupting their sense of smell. Sprinkle ground cinnamon over the soil surface to deter ants from entering the pot.
Alternatively, mix a teaspoon of cinnamon in a cup of water and use it to water the soil for a more thorough application. This will help repel the ants inside the soil as well. Additionally, place some cinnamon sticks around the pot’s base or the soil.
ii) Spritz Freshly Squeezed Citrus
Ants dislike the strong smell of citrus fruits, so spritz freshly squeezed citrus juice mixed with water on the soil and around the pot. You could also place lemon, orange, or grapefruit halves or peels close to your potted plants.
iii) Sprinkle Coffee Grounds
Sprinkle used coffee grounds over the soil, mix it into the topsoil, or place a ring of coffee grounds around the base of the pots to repel ants and improve soil quality while at it.
iv) Essential Oils
Many essential oils give off strong scents unbearable to ants. Essential oils with excellent ant-repelling properties include neem oil, mint oil, cinnamon oil, tea tree oil, and eucalyptus oil. Spray the areas around your planters and other places where you find ants with diluted essential oil.
Moreover, pour a couple of drops in saucers or directly on the pots to keep a fresh, ant-free home.
v) Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
This product is arguably the most effective elimination and preventative natural ant remedy. When diatomaceous earth touches an ant’s body, it absorbs the fats and oils, dehydrating and killing the ant. In addition, DE’s tiny, sharp particles cut through the exoskeletons of insects.
Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth evenly on the soil surface of your potted plants.
vi) Spray Soapy Water
Spray a solution comprising water and mild dish soap on the soil surface and any visible ants. Soapy water is inexpensive, harmless, and effective against these annoying pests. It will suffocate ants, disrupt their navigation ability, and remove any honeydew residue that might attract ants.
vii) Sprinkle Cayenne Pepper
Deter ants from nesting in your potted plants by sprinkling cayenne pepper powder directly onto your potted plants’ soil surface. Alternatively, apply cayenne pepper paste (cayenne pepper with water) around the plant base and on visible ant trails.
Cayenne pepper’s strong smell and irritant properties will deter the ants without harming them.
3. Ant Baits
This approach entails luring ants to a food source that’s poisoned. They’ll carry it to their colony, ultimately killing the ant queen and other ants.
Make Your Own Ant Baits
You likely have everything you need to make a simple, effective bait to kill ants that have invaded your potted plants at home. Even if you don’t have these ingredients, you can easily buy them from a store.
a) Borax and Sugar
Combine equal parts borax and sugar and place the mixture in small dishes or containers near the affected plant. Borax is toxic to ants, while sugar attracts them. Although this approach is highly effective, be careful with borax, especially if you have pets or small children, as it can be toxic if ingested.
b) Baking Soda and Sugar
Like borax, ants must ingest the baking soda for them to die. These insects are naturally drawn to sweet substances, so sugar is essential to this remedy. Mix baking soda and sugar equally and place small amounts of the mixture in shallow containers around the base of the plant or near ant trails.
Store-bought Ant Baits
Does making your own ant bait seem like too much hassle? If so, forgo the whole process by buying a commercial ant bait from the store. These baits are ready-to-use, easy to apply, requiring minimal preparation, and highly effective.
Store-bought ant baits come in gel, granular, and liquid forms. Place your bait around the bases of your planters. If you use liquid or gel baits, ensure they don’t come into contact with the potting soil to prevent contamination.
4. Physical Barriers
So, you have successfully eradicated the ant infestation in your potted plants, but what’s to stop them from returning? Physical barriers are a formidable defense, providing long-term protection against ants. They will keep these insects from reaching your plants.
Options include:
a) Sticky Barriers
Wrap a strip of plastic wrap or tape around the base of your plant pots and spread Tanglefoot or a similar sticky substance on the plastic wrap or tape. Use this method to keep ants from climbing up to your plants.
b) Ant-repelling Plants
Create a border featuring ant-repelling plants to keep ants out. Excellent choices are marigolds, mint, tansy, chives, lavender, lemon balm, rosemary, and catnip. Grow these repelling plants in pots and place them strategically around your main plants.
c) Copper Tape
Copper tape repels ants and other crawling insects due to the small electrical charge it generates. Therefore, keep ants away from your potted plants by wrapping a strip of copper tape around the circumference of a plant pot, just above the soil line.
Wrap the tape securely and make sure it completely encircles the pot without gaps. Copper tape offers long-lasting protection and is non-toxic and safe for plants.
d) Use Plant Stands or Elevated Platforms
Lower the chances of an ant infestation by placing potted plants on raised ground. Place your potted plants on plant stands or platforms. This not only helps protect your plants from ants but also adds to your plant arrangement’s aesthetics.
e) Physical Obstacles
Surround your potted plants with materials that will make it more difficult for ants to get to your plants. These include crushed eggshells, sand, and gravel.
5. Use Insecticides
Before delving deep into this method, I recommend using it sparingly. Insecticides weaken plants, pollute the soil, and are toxic to beneficial insects and plants. Some even harm pets and humans.
Spray or pour the insecticide on the soil surface, around the plant’s base, and any visible ant trails. Do this carefully so you don’t saturate the leaves with the chemical unless the insecticide is safe for foliage.
Insecticides can also address severe ant infestation in your potted plants. To do this, drench the soil with the insecticide to kill the colony beneath.
6. Repot Your Plants
Sometimes, changing the soil and repotting your plants drive away ants. This strategy is beneficial, especially if the ants have already established a colony inside the soil. Follow these steps:
- Carefully take the plant out of the pot, shake the roots to remove the old soil, and examine the roots’ condition. Clean the roots with water to dislodge any remaining ants or soil.
- Thoroughly clean your planter, and if necessary, disinfect it with mild bleach. Rinse it well, and let it dry.
- Pour fresh potting soil into the planter. Next, place your plant inside and fill the pot with soil, gently pressing it down to ensure there aren’t air pockets.
- Water the plant afterward.
Summary
The bottom line is you are better off not having ants in or on your potted plants because, if for no other reason, they are just a nuisance. However, they are vital soil aerators, decomposers, seed dispersers, and pest controllers. Therefore, handle them humanely and ensure you address the underlying causes.
Hey there, fellow plant enthusiasts! I’m Rachel, the green-thumbed writer behind Rooted In Garden. With a deep-rooted love for all things botanical, I’ve made it my mission to help you cultivate a thriving collection of houseplants. As a devoted plant parent myself, I understand the joys and challenges that come with nurturing these leafy wonders. Whether you’re a succulent aficionado, an orchid enthusiast, or simply adore all potted flora, join me on this journey as we explore the secrets to growing and caring for our beloved green companions. Together, let’s create a flourishing oasis indoors.