Although ants are somewhat annoying, they don't actually cause any harm to potted plants. These creatures are attracted by the sweet-honey-flavored secretions left by other insects present in the soil, such as aphids and scale insects; fire ants like to nest in plant pots and hide in foliage. You can get rid of these insects using insecticides or bait, drown them in a solution of water and insecticidal detergent, or eliminate them with other common materials found in homes. If you can't get rid of the infestation, transfer the plants into new soil and a sterilized pot.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Apply Insecticides and Use Baits
Step 1. Use a permethrin-based insecticide for the soil
When ants come into contact with permethrin or eat it, their nervous system becomes paralyzed and they die. This chemical is commercially available in several formats: concentrated liquid, powder or spray. Before applying it to potted plants, carefully read the instructions for use. If administered incorrectly, it can be harmful to humans.
- Pour a concentrated liquid solution on your plants. Follow the instructions on the package to make the permethrin effective and apply the product as directed.
- If you, a family member or pet get splashed with the chemical and ingest it, call your doctor or vet right away.
Step 2. Use a decoy to take out an entire colony
Ants are attracted to baits that contain a slow-acting insecticide, such as those with sugar, oils and proteins. The worker ants bring the poison into the colony, transferring it directly into the mouth of the other members, the larvae and even the queen. As the venom passes from ant to ant or from ant to larva, the colony slowly shrinks.
- You can buy a stick bait and insert it directly into the infested plant.
- You can also get yourself a reusable bait dispenser. Since the trap can be filled multiple times, this method is perfect for eradicating a sizable infestation. Fill the dispenser with an insecticide of your choice. Then close the container and place it near the base of the plant. Check it often, so you can empty and / or refill it as needed.
- Baits are considered the safest form of insecticide for hunting ants. Before using them, however, always read the label to make sure they are safe to use around children or pets. Purchase baits that contain one of the following active ingredients: hydramethylnon, fipronil, boric acid, or abamectin.
- Do not choose products that contain cyfluthrin or permethrin, as they act quickly and kill worker ants before they can reach the colony.
Step 3. Cover the soil with diatomaceous earth
It is an organic mineral-based insecticide. Spread this chalk-like substance all around the base and on the soil of the infested plant. The ants in the pot should start dying within half an hour of coming into contact with this element.
- Keep in mind that diatomaceous earth is less effective when wet. Reapply it after it has rained, if you have watered the plant or there has been a lot of dew.
- Do not inhale this product.
- Store the remaining substance in a sealable bag to reduce exposure.
Step 4. Mix one tablespoon of peppermint soap with 500ml of water
Spray this solution on the foliage of the plant.
Remove the ants by spraying them with water from a garden hose
Method 2 of 4: Immerse the Jar in Water
Step 1. Prepare the solution
If the plant is totally infested with these tiny insects, you can completely submerge the soil in a solution of water and insecticide to make the ants escape from their nest. Those that come into contact with the mixture should die or drown. Here's how to prepare the solution:
- Get a clean bucket.
- Fill it with 4 liters of water (if the jar is large, double or triple the amount of water).
- Add 250 ml of insecticidal detergent or dish soap for every 4 liters of water. Some detergents and cleaners are less aggressive, less expensive, but are also less reliable alternatives to products that contain the insecticide. Among the most common brands of detergents and cleaners suitable for your purpose consider Palmolive, Dove and others.
Step 2. Divide the mixture
First, set aside about half of the solution to submerge the jar. Find a bucket or container large enough to hold the jar and fill it with half of the mixture you made. Then, pour some of the solution into a small spray bottle; you need this to spray the product directly on the ants trying to escape from the soil. Finally, pour the remaining solution onto the soil of the infested plant.
Step 3. Pour about half of the prepared mixture into the soil of the plant
Take the pot to a shady spot in the garden. Slowly pour half of the insecticide solution onto the soil. Meanwhile, spray the product on the ants escaping from the jar. Then leave the plant undisturbed for an hour.
Insecticidal soap is gentle and safe to use in organic gardens. These soaps contain potassium fatty acids specially formulated to kill insects on contact alone, but are not harmful to humans or animals. Since they have low mammalian toxicity, they are considered safe to use when there are children and pets around, and are allowed to be used on organic farms. Theoretically, they shouldn't ruin your yard or garden, but it's still wise to work on a patio or concrete driveway to reduce any risk of damage
Step 4. Soak the entire pot in the insecticide solution
After impregnating the soil with the mixture, take the pot, immerse it completely in this mixture and let it soak for 15 minutes. Again, spray the product on any ants attempting to escape from the jar. Finally, remove the plant from the solution and leave it on the ground.
Step 5. Rinse the plant and pot with fresh water
Use a garden hose to soak the entire pot with fresh clean water. By doing this, you will rinse and remove the residues of the insecticide solution. Wait for the plant and soil to dry completely before moving the pot to a sunny spot or watering again.
Method 3 of 4: Repot the Plant
Step 1. Rinse the roots
If you want to get rid of the ant colony, you need to remove and replace the infested soil. Take a gardening trowel and gently remove the plant from the pot. Throw away any soil left in the pot. Carefully spray the roots of the plant with a garden hose to get rid of any ants or infested soil.
This work creates a lot of disorder; if possible, proceed to a place that you can get dirty and wet
Step 2. Clean the jar
Once you have removed the infested soil from the pot, you must clean it thoroughly, making sure to remove any residue of "contaminated" earth. Use a cloth or sponge to scrub the inside and outside of the pot with a 10: 1 solution of bleach and water.
Step 3. Return the plant to the pot
Fill it with fresh, fresh, uninfested potting soil. Then insert the plant and close any gaps with more earth. When finished, water carefully.
If the roots have gotten too big for the pot in the meantime, get a bigger one
Method 4 of 4: Using Homemade Products
Step 1. Spread the coffee grounds into the soil
Ants detest this substance and try to avoid it in every way. Make a small circle all around the base of the plant.
Step 2. Surround the plant with other products easily found around the house that are toxic or ant repellent
If you don't want to use insecticides, especially if you have children or pets, there are several products that you can easily find in your kitchen pantry that can kill or ward off such insects. These include baking soda, pepper, cinnamon, chili powder, and mint. Surround the base of your plant with a thin ring of one of these products.
Step 3. Set up a non-toxic ant trap
If you don't want to harm these insects, you can set up a non-toxic sticky trap. Put sticky paper all around the plant, rather than bait. When the ants try to cross this obstacle to reach the plant, they will get stuck.
- Cut a ring out of this paper to carefully place all around the base of your potted plant.
- Separate the two adhesive layers and put the non-sticky side of the paper towards the ground.
- Place the plant directly in the center of the sticky paper ring (above the sticky side).
- Replace it if necessary.
