In general, ants are often an indication that the plant's potting soil is too dry. Try to make sure that your plants are watered regularly and not kept in direct sunlight. Several different methods will drive ants out of potted plants, and most only require common household items.
Ants in the house are bad enough, but when they invade house plants it creates a frustrating problem.
Antsin potted plants are usually harmless. In fact, they help decompose theorganic matter in your soil, making the soil richer in nutrients. Theyalso eat termites, flies and fly larvae. However, sometimes ants eat theplant leaves themselves or infest potted plants you want to moveindoors. Fortunately, several easy ways exist to get rid of ants, whichcan save you both time and money.
If the ants have already set up home, here are some suggestions to remove them from pot plants:
- Ifthe potted plant is small, try submerging it in water. It should ridthe plant of ants, as well as giving it some much-needed hydration.
- Use a pot saucer. Fill this with water and it should act like a moat, protecting plants from further ant infestation.
- Placeant powder over the nest and around the base of the plant. Most brandson the market guarantee that their powder will not affect the health ofthe plant.
- Erect an ant barrier. This will help to prevent moreants moving into the pot plant. There are a number of sticky ordetergent barriers on the market specifically designed to preventinsects from reaching certain areas. Apply these liquids and liquidmixes on and around the plant pot. Other deterrents that may be alreadyin your cupboard include eucalyptus oil, baby powder and petroleumjelly.
How to Kill Ants if Present in Plants
Step 1Mixboric acid powder and condensed milk (use the sweetened variety for thebest results) into a thick paste-like consistency. Roll the mixtureinto small balls and place them on top of the soil where the ants caneasily get to them. This sweet toxic mixture will be carried back totheir nest and eradicate the problem at the source. Be careful usingthis method around children and pets, as it is toxic.
Step 2Removestanding water from plants and re-pot them immediately. Ants like tohang out with aphids, and aphids like standing water. Eliminate theexcess water and the aphids go away, leaving the ants with no purpose tobe there either.
Step 3Add 1 tablespoon of dish soap, 1tablespoon of vegetable oil, and 1/2 teaspoon of eucalyptus oil to agallon of warm water and mix it up well. Pour the solution into a spraybottle and you have your own bug spray for a fraction of the cost ofinsecticides and usable around children and animals.
Step 4Setthe plant outside and place lemon rinds on top of the soil. The smellrepels the ants and when they leave, it won't be by way of your livingroom. Check on the plant and bring it in when the ants are gone.
Step 5Repotthe plant in fresh soil. This will evacuate the ants that have made theold soil their home. Discard the old soil and leave the ants outside.Keep the new soil moist enough without drowning your plant, so that theants won't want to return.
For more useful steps and tips
Auckland ant control
