Buzz
Ants, while annoying, do not actually harm potted plants. They are drawn to the sugary secretions from other pests, such as aphids and mealybugs, that reside in the soil. Fire ants prefer nesting in trees and hiding in the canopy. There are various methods to remove ants from your potted plants. You can use pesticides or ant bait, drown them with a soap and water solution, or repel them using common household items. If you're unable to eliminate them, consider repotting the plant in fresh soil and a clean pot.
Steps
Using insecticide and ant bait
Use permethrin insecticide. When ants ingest or come into contact with permethrin, their nervous system becomes paralyzed, leading to their death. Permethrin is available in various forms: concentrated solution, fine powder, coarse powder, and spray. Before applying permethrin to plants, carefully read the product label. If used improperly, this chemical can harm humans.
- For potted plants, use the concentrated solution. Follow the product instructions to mix the permethrin solution for effectiveness and apply accordingly.
- If you, anyone in your household, or pets accidentally ingest or come into contact with permethrin, seek immediate medical or veterinary assistance.
Use ant bait to eradicate the entire colony. Ant bait contains a slow-acting pesticide mixed with sugar, oil, or protein to attract ants. Worker ants bring the poisoned food back to the nest, sharing the poison with other workers, larvae, and the queen. The bait spreads the poison from one ant to another, and eventually, the entire colony is destroyed.
- You can purchase ant bait in stick form and insert it directly into the affected potted plant.
- Alternatively, use reusable bait boxes. These traps can be used multiple times, making them ideal for eliminating large numbers of invading ants. Pour the selected pesticide into the bait box, close it, and place it near the plant’s base. Check the box regularly to dispose of or refill the bait as necessary.
- Ant baits are considered one of the safest pesticide options. However, always read the product label to ensure they are safe to use in homes with children and pets. Look for ant baits containing active ingredients like hydramethylnon, fipronil, boric acid, or avermectin B.
- Avoid baits containing cyfluthrin or permethrin, as these fast-acting insecticides will kill worker ants before they return to the nest.
Spread a layer of diatomaceous earth over the soil. Diatomaceous earth is an organic insecticide made from mineral deposits. A puffing device is the safest way to apply diatomaceous earth. Use the device to sprinkle this powder-like substance over the soil where ants are infesting the plant. Within 30 minutes of contact, the ants will perish.
- This product is less effective when wet. You should reapply diatomaceous earth after rain, heavy dew, or watering.
- Do not inhale diatomaceous earth.
- Store any remaining diatomaceous earth in a sealed plastic bag to minimize contact with the product.
Mix one tablespoon of peppermint with two cups of water. Spray this mixture onto the plant’s leaves to repel ants.
- Eliminate ants by using a water spray nozzle to drench the foliage.
Soak the plant pot in water.
Prepare the solution. If the plant pot is infested with tiny insects, submerging the soil in an insecticide solution can force the ants to abandon their nests. The ants exposed to the solution will die from poisoning or drowning. Here’s how to mix the solution:
- Find a clean bucket.
- Fill the bucket with 4 liters of water. (For larger pots, you may need to double or triple the water amount.)
- Mix one cup of antibacterial soap or dishwashing detergent for every 4 liters of water. Some gentle dish soaps and laundry detergents are cheaper but less effective than antibacterial soaps. Popular dish soap brands include: Dawn, Palmolive, Dove, Ivory, and Joy.
Divide the solution into portions. Start by using half of the solution to soak the plant pot. Find a large bucket or container to place the pot in and pour half of the solution into it. Then, transfer the remaining solution into a small spray bottle to target any ants escaping from the pot. Finally, pour the rest of the solution into the soil of the potted plant infested with ants.
Pour half of the solution into the soil. Move the plant pot to a shaded area in the yard. Gradually pour half of the pesticide solution into the soil of the plant pot. Use the spray bottle to target any ants that escape from the pot. Soak the plant pot for an hour.
- Antibacterial soap is gentle and safe to use in organic gardens. These soaps contain potassium fatty acids designed to kill insects upon contact but are harmless to humans and animals. Because of their low toxicity to mammals, they are safe to use around children and pets and are approved for organic farms. While the solution is harmless to gardens, it is best to work on concrete or walkways to reduce any potential risks.
Soak the plant pot completely in pesticide solution. After pouring the pesticide solution into the soil and allowing the runoff to drain, submerge the entire plant pot in the solution and let it sit for 15 minutes. Use the spray bottle to target any ants crawling out of the pot. Remove the pot from the solution and place it on the ground.
Rinse the plant and pot with clean water. Use a hose to rinse the entire plant in the pot. The clean water will wash away any remaining pesticide solution. Allow the plant and soil to dry completely before moving it to a sunny spot or watering again.
Replant the plant.
Clean the plant's roots. To eliminate ant nests, you need to replace the soil infested with ants. Carefully use a shovel to remove the plant from the pot. Discard all the soil in the pot. Use a water hose to gently spray the roots and dislodge the ants or ant-infested soil.
- This step can get messy – it's best to do it in a place where you don't mind getting wet or dirty.
Clean the plant pot. After removing the soil, you need to clean the pot thoroughly. Wash the inside and outside of the pot with a mixture of one part bleach and ten parts water using a cloth or sponge to ensure all traces of ant-infested soil are gone.
Replant the plant. Add fresh, clean soil to the pot. Plant the tree into the new soil, filling any empty spaces with additional soil. Water the plant thoroughly after replanting.
- If the plant's root system is too large for the pot, consider transferring it to a larger one.
Use household products
Sprinkle coffee grounds over the soil. Ants dislike coffee grounds and will avoid areas where they are present. Scatter the coffee grounds around the base of the plant in a small circle to deter ants.
Sprinkle household products that are harmful to ants or act as repellents around the plant. Many ingredients in your kitchen can eliminate or deter ants, especially if you prefer not to use pesticides, particularly in homes with children and pets. These products include baking soda, pepper, cinnamon, chili powder, and peppermint. You can scatter one of these ingredients in a small circle around the plant's base in the pot.
Create non-toxic ant traps. If you don't want to use chemicals to kill ants, you can set up non-toxic sticky traps. Place self-adhesive paper around the plant instead of using ant bait. When the ants crawl over the sticky paper, they will get stuck.
- Cut the self-adhesive paper into a circle that fits snugly around the bottom of the plant pot.
- Peel off the protective layer and place the sticky side against the ground.
- Place the plant in the center of the circle (on top of the sticky side of the paper).
- Replace the paper when necessary.
Advice
- Pyrethrum spray is also effective if you lightly water the plant. To use this method, water the plant and let it dry for 10 minutes. Mix pyrethrum with water (10 ml pyrethrum to 90 ml water) and water the plant. You can use a cup to measure the proper ratio (10 ml pyrethrum to 90 ml water).
What you need
Treat with insecticides and ant baits
- Permethrin insecticide
- Ant bait
- Diatomaceous earth
Soak the plant in water
- Clean bucket
- 4 liters of water
- 1 cup of disinfecting soap or dishwashing liquid
- Clean spray bottle
- A pot or bucket large enough to fit the plant pot
- Water hose
Replant the plant
- Fresh soil for planting
- A bleach solution mixed with water at a 1:10 ratio
- Spray bottle
- Water hose
- Sponges or rags
Prevention or treatment of ant infestations using natural household remedies
- Used coffee grounds
- Baking soda
- Black pepper
- Cinnamon
- Chili powder
- Mint leaves
- Sticky paper
