How to Kill Ants in Garden Without Destroying Plants?

ants in the garden

When you find out that there is an ant problem in your garden, you probably panic. You might think that you need to kill the ants with any means necessary, but that’s not always the best idea. 

You might find the best thing to do is to kill the ants without destroying your garden.

We all know that ants are just annoying little pests, but what if you want to kill them without destroying the plants in your garden? How do you do that?

This blog post will look at how you can kill ants in your garden without destroying the plants.

Ants Can Be a Pest in Garden

There are many different types of ants, most of which are considered beneficial because they help control the populations of harmful insects. 

However, a few types of ants can become pests in the garden, especially when their populations get out of hand.

The most common type of ant that can become a pest in the garden is the carpenter ant. 

These ants nest in wood, and they can damage trees and other plants by chewing through the bark to create their nests. They can also contaminate food sources with their droppings.

Another type of ant that can be a problem in the garden is the fire ant. 

These ants are aggressive and sting anything that disturbs their nests, including people and pets. They can also damage plants by chewing on them.

Reasons Why Ants are Attracted in Garden

Ants can be seen inside or outside of your home. There is no place in the world where ants cannot find. They are always abundant everywhere, even in your garden.

Though ants are sometimes not treated as pests in some gardeners because they benefit them, ants are attracted to your garden because they are forging food to eat, like proteins and fat-rich food in which your garden has. 

Carpenter ants, for example, are abundant in your garden, and they will eat aphids in your gardens or yard.

In contrast, ants don’t harm your plants because they further develop soil structure by digging to the ground, which can help your plants grow better.

They help control garden pests that can damage your crops and plants like aphids and help decompose organic material used as fertilizer for your plants.

But some other times, ants can be annoying to you as a gardener. And getting rid of them is the way to control them in your garden.

Ant Bait Trap is the Better Solution to Kill Ants in Garden

Whether commercial or made by yourself, an ant bait trap is a better solution to get rid of your ants without overthrowing your plants.

This type of solution can be very effective and can be used as a long-term solution to your pest infestation.

You can buy ant baits in some commercial markets or make your own using some concoctions.

If you are the type of person that is practical and never wanted to spend some money on those commercial ant bait products present on Amazon, a DIY ant bait is the best option for you to try.

On the other hand, ant bait traps cannot be viable sometimes in all ants because they have different preferred food sources. 

For example, carpenter ants eat both proteins and sugars. 

Argentine ants preferred sweet food. 

Tiny black ants eat proteins, grease, and bread. 

While the odorous house ants produce pheromones that can influence another individual to follow them where they set off, preferred sugary and sticky food such as popsicle sticks, watermelon, fruit juice, or ice cream.

With this kind of idea, you should be aware of the appropriate ant bait you should use to get rid of the ants from your garden.

How to Make DIY Ant Bait Traps?

If you are already aware of what kind of ants you have in your garden, you should now start to find an appropriate commercial ant bait in your local market or a legitimate online store. 

That’s the first step on how to get rid of the ants effectively without also killing your plants.

But as we mentioned before, if you are the type of person that is very practical in anything, you can make your Ant Bait Traps using some concoctions. 

Here are the steps you need to follow to make your DIY Ant Bait Traps:

  1. Powdered sugar and borax are the main ingredients for DIY Ant Bait Trap. Mix 1.5 tablespoons of borax, half a cup of sugar, and 1.5 cups of warm water in a container until they’re blended. Be careful to keep your hands in your eyes after working with borax because it can be an eye irritant.
  2. After blending the ingredients, place the bait along the trail to see the ants crawling consistently. Wait for them to appear and leave the ants enjoying their food.
  3. Always clean the area where you leave the food bait. Make sure pets or children cannot accidentally access the bait in your garden or even inside your house.

It takes a week to notice that the ants are no longer crawling in your yard. It means that your DIY ant bait traps are effective.

When you see some ants again, some colonies find your place as their new nest. 

Just repeat the steps, and you will acquire temporary relief again.

Other Tips to Kill Ants in Garden

There are many ways to get rid of ants in your garden, and the key is to find the proper method for your situation. 

Aside from ant bait, one popular way to kill ants is with boiling water. Boil a pot of water and pour it over the anthills. 

Be sure to pour it on the sides of the hill, as the ants will try to escape there.

You can also use a solution of vinegar and water. Mix one part vinegar to every three parts of water, and pour it over the anthills.

The vinegar will kill the ants and repel them so they won’t come back. Another effective way to get rid of ants is with a pesticide spray.

There are many pesticides available, so be sure to read the label carefully before using one. Finally, you can also try using bait traps.

EndNote

There are several ways to kill ants in your garden without destroying your plants. Using one of these methods can keep your plants safe while getting rid of the ants. However, it is essential to remember to use caution when using these methods, as they may be harmful to pets or children.

Related Articles: