Do you love them or hate them?
It is always an unsolvable mystery for us. Despite this, they are amazing creatures. They make large and complex colonies that span almost all the globe. So, it is a blessing that they are tiny insects.
What do we talk about?
They are ants.
You can notice a caravan of ants going to and fro in your garden mostly in the summer season. Some of them may reach into your home in search of sugar.
Now the question is how to get rid of ants in the garden?
You can get rid of ants by both natural and unnatural methods. There are eight natural methods e.g boiling water, dishwasher and oil, boric acid and sugar, white vinegar, ground cinnamon, roundworms, diatomaceous earth, and insect-repelling plants. Professional ways include ant killer gel, poison, and spray, and professional assassination.
Some of us thought that ants have no threat to gardens and plants. They are wrong….
Ants unknowingly destroy your garden.
Do you know the bad effects of ants on your plants? Let me explain!
Like many other garden pests, ants will do their work without disturbing anyone else. Sometimes they become irritant for you as well as your garden. It is time to start work to get rid of ants.
Let’s move on to all possible ways that how to get rid of ants in the garden naturally.
Table of Contents
How Should You Get Rid of Ants
Though ants are tiny creatures they can damage your garden. They can disturb the soil around the plant and also deposit it while making a nest in the earth.
So, if you have ants in your garden you have to plan to remove them from there. Generally, ants like damp areas that are soft and spongy. First, you have to find out the nest that may be built up near a pipe leakage or wet soil.
There are many different ways to get rid of these small ants. They are divided into two categories:
- Natural Methods
- Professional Methods
Let’s discuss them in details.
8 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Ants in Garden Without Killing Plants
Are you facing an Ants Plague in your garden or lawn? You need not worry because we have some easy natural solutions for it. It is not necessary to always use an ant killer spray.
To wipe out ants’ threat completely you have to go towards the sources.
The methods given below have been beneficial results to eliminate ants both inside and outside the nest.
1. Boiling Water
The most effective and easy way to remove ants is using boiling water. Simply, you have to locate all possible entrances to the nest. Then pour boiling water into the nest. Do it again and again until all of the ants are dead.
While doing this, take care of your hands. Use these Heat Resistant Gloves before pouring boiling water to protect your fingers from burning.
2. Dishwasher and oil
This method got a high level of success as both dishwasher and oil to suffocate the ants. The reason is that oil and washing liquid rinse into their body covering and swelter them all.
Here is the method to make the spray.
Things you need:
- Dishwashing Liquid (Half teaspoon)
- Cooking Oil (One and a half teaspoon)
- Water (1 quart)
- Spray Bottle
How to make:
Take a half teaspoon of the dishwasher, one and a half teaspoon of cooking oil. Mix them well by adding one quart of water. Pour the mixture into the spray bottle and use it carefully on the ants outside the nest. Later pour the remaining liquid directly into the nest to remove the ants entirely.
3. Boric Acid and Sugar
The most effective home remedy to kill ants is the mixture of Boric acid and Sugar. Mix boric acid with sugar until it becomes a paste. Put a small amount of this paste around the nest of ants. As ants love sweet things, so they will begin to gather around the paste. They will eat some and take the rest into the nest for the queen. After a very short period of eating, they will begin to die because of boric acid.
4. White Vinegar
Vinegar is found in almost every kitchen. Do you know it is helpful to kill ants?
Yes, it is.
Just take a bottle of white vinegar and pour one liter directly into the nest. You can see amazing results. It is not harmful to the garden or plants but it can remove all the ants at once.
5. Ground Cinnamon
Another natural method is to use cinnamon powder but is more expensive than other methods. Sprinkle ground cinnamon around the area of ants. You can see that it will repel the ants immediately.
It will also reduce the number of ants in your garden and plants.
6. Roundworms
Do you know about the natural ants killer? Let me tell you!
Microscopic worms that are also known as roundworms are best to kill ants. These tiny worms like to chase and hunt ants.
So, ants will like to search for a new nest when they find their natural predator nearby.
7. Diatomaceous Earth
It is very effective for killing a variety of insects and animals both at home and in the garden. You can sprinkle some worms around the plant or on the path of ants and see the magic.
For best results choose the dry place in your garden otherwise the process will take much time. It works well when the soil is dry.
8. Insect Repelling Plants
You have many plants in your garden that contain essential oils. They give off a certain smell that is helpful to get rid of unwanted insects and plants.
So, to remove ants Insect Repelling Plants play the role of natural ants killer. Ants will get away from such plants and avoid damaging the garden.
Other Methods To Get Rid of Ants in The Garden Naturally
Here is the list of some other easy ways to get rid of ants that are not only natural but also cheap. Let’s have a look at them:
- Salt: Spread the salt along the path and corner of the ant’s nest and see the results. Ants will soon go away from there.
- Chalk: There is calcium carbonate in the chalk that is helpful in keeping away ants. Spray some chalk powder or draw a line on the entry points of ants. It is surely effective.
- Lemons: Generally, ants do not like the smell of lemon juice. So, it will help you to remove the ants. Squeeze the lemon or place its peel on the way of ants and get them away from your place.
- Oranges: Oranges also work as lemons. Make a paste of orange peel and one cup of hot water. Spread the paste around the nest. It will help in getting rid of ants.
- Pepper: Ants are lovers of sweets and sugar, but they hate pepper. So, sprinkle pepper at all the entrances of ants. They dislike Cayenne or black pepper. It is better to use them for the best results.
- Salt: Salt is another cheap natural method. Spread it near the nooks and corners of an ant’s nest. Use ordinary salt that will also work. You will also add a large amount of salt to boiling water and pour it into a spray bottle. Sprinkle it on the paths from where the ants enter your garden.
- Peppermint: It is one of the insect repellent plants that are helpful to get rid of ants. Ants don’t like its smell and avoid the areas where it grows. Ants cannot tolerate it due to its strong scent. The presence of peppermint keeps the ants away from your garden. Add 10 drops of peppermint oil into a cup of water and sprinkle it in your garden. Repeat it twice a day. You will see the desired results soon.
Professional Methods
Some natural methods are time taking and do not work immediately. The reason is that they are not as lethal as professional poisons are.
So, if you want to get instant results, choose one of the following professional methods.
Ant Killer Gel
Most garden centers have poisons for ants in gel form. This works as a reciprocal of boric acid and sugar. This is a kind of sweet gel around which ants gather to eat and then carry it into the nest for the queen.
It is a form of poison but your garden or plants have no threat from it.
Ant Killer Poison
Poison powders are also useful while killing ants. If you are going to use ant killer poison, you have to take care of your children and pets, as it may prove dangerous for them. You can save them by blocking away the poisoned area of ants.
Choose a calm day to spread the poison when there is no possibility of winds. As winds may carry the poison to other areas and gardens nearby.
Ant Killer Spray
Another easy artificial method used to get rid of ants is ant killer spray. It is not harmful to your plants and garden. Just take it from a store and spray it on the areas where the ants make their nest and wander about.
You can see that it will remove the ants at once.
Professional Assassination
Just imagine if all the above methods prove fake and do not work well, what will you do?
Don’t worry! We have a solution…
You have to hire a professional to control this problem. He has the best ways to remove these tiny creatures from your garden and house as well.
Most Asking Questions
How Do We Kill Ants Without Harming Plants?
All-natural ways are helpful to kill ants without damaging any plant.
Does Vinegar Kill Ants?
Yes, It can do that as we pour some amount into the nest of ants.
Which Scent Irritates Ants?
It is the fragrance of peppermint that works as a natural insect repellent.
How Long Does It Take Vinegar to Kill Ants?
It takes about one hour to kill ants inside and outside the home.
Final Verdict
Finally, we are at the end of How to get rid of ants in the garden. This informative article will hopefully help you to make your garden and home free from ants.
All of the above ways show surprising results. You can select one of them as all are cheap and easy.
Expectedly, in the future, we will be able to share more effective ways to get rid of ants.
But before killing them make sure they are dangerous or not.
If you find this article informative, share it with your friends who are in trouble due to ants.
Do I miss something?? Tell me in the comment section and share your knowledge with us.