If you see ants around your plants, don’t worry too much! There are different ways to get rid of them, which I’ll explain here.
Why Do Ants Get Attracted to Your Houseplants?
Ants don’t usually have a special interest in your plant itself. They are mainly drawn to the sweet honeydew that pests like aphids or mealybugs (which are really tiny) leave behind. These pests suck the sap from the plant, and as you know, ants are always attracted to sweet stuff, just like me :). Sometimes, ants might even decide to make your houseplant’s soil their home, but only if the soil is dry. If the soil becomes too dry, even ants won’t want to stay there.
Ways to Get Rid of Ants in Houseplants
Before anything else, carefully inspect your plant, checking under the leaves and around the stems for pests like aphids or mealybugs. If you find any pests, treat the plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap to eliminate both the pests and the ants’ food source.
Wash the Soil
If the number of ants is not too high, washing the plant’s soil with water is a good method. You can do this by placing the plant in a sink or taking it outside and thoroughly soaking the soil. This will destroy the ants’ nests in the soil.
Tip: Be careful not to overwater the plant, as too much moisture can cause root rot.
Repot the Plant if Necessary
If the ant infestation is very severe, you may need to replace the plant’s soil and repot it entirely. While repotting the houseplant, check the roots for any damage or fungal growth, as these can also attract pests. Adding a small amount of activated charcoal to the soil can help keep the soil fresh and prevent ants from entering. Just remember to keep the plant’s soil moist afterward, based on the plant’s water needs.
Tip: You can buy activated charcoal from pharmacies, gardening stores, or aquarium supply shops. After repotting, make sure to keep the soil moist based on the plant’s water needs.
Prevent Ants in Houseplants
Keep the Area Clean
The easiest thing to do is keep the area around the plant clean. If there are no food crumbs or other debris near the plant, ants are less likely to be attracted.
Cinnamon
The smell of cinnamon disrupts ants’ scent trails. Sprinkle a bit of ground cinnamon around your indoor plant, and the ants will lose their way.
Baking Soda and Sugar
You can make an ant trap by mixing baking soda and sugar. The sugar attracts the ants, and the baking soda messes with their digestion, eventually killing them.
Coffee Grounds
Once your coffee grounds have dried, sprinkle them around the base of the plant. This helps keep ants away and also adds nutrients to the soil. Just be careful not to use too much, as coffee grounds can change the soil’s pH.
Lemon Juice or Vinegar
Another natural solution is to spray a mixture of lemon juice or vinegar with water around the base of the plant. Like cinnamon, these substances can confuse ants by disrupting their scent trails. However, be careful not to spray directly on the soil or leaves, as the acidity can harm your plant.
Use Essential Oils
Essential oils like peppermint, lavender, and citrus can help repel ants. Mix a few drops of oil with water and spray it around the plant. Again, don’t overdo it, as too much can mess with the soil’s pH.
Use Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a white powder that can be found in gardening and agricultural stores, and even in pet shops. Sprinkle some around the base of the plant and on the surface of the soil. Diatomaceous earth kills ants by damaging their exoskeleton and is very effective. Just remember that it loses its effectiveness when it gets wet, so you’ll need to sprinkle it again after watering.
Set Up Ant Bait Traps
For a long-term solution, ant bait traps are a great option. These traps contain a sweet bait that ants take back to their nest, eventually eliminating the entire colony. It’s a slower process, but it’s a strong method to solve the root problem and prevent ants from coming back.
Dealing with Ants in Outdoor Potted Plants
If you see ants in a pot that’s outside, the best thing to do is change the soil or place the pot in a container of water for 30 minutes. But don’t leave the pot in water for longer than that.
To prevent the ants from coming back, keep the pot in a saucer filled with water or sprinkle some diatomaceous earth around the pot, and make sure to place the pot where water won’t reach the diatomaceous earth.
Common Mistakes People Make with Ants in Houseplants
– One common mistake people make is focusing only on getting rid of the ants without addressing the main cause, which is the pests. If you don’t eliminate these pests, the ants will return.
– Another mistake that I have seen several times is that people use substances like vinegar or lemon juice directly on the plant or soil. While these can repel ants, they can also harm your plants and cause leaf burn. The best solution is to eliminate both the pests and the ants simultaneously using gentle and plant-friendly methods.
If you have anymore questions, drop a comment below. I’d be happy to help!
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