key points
- When the temperature is 75 ° F or warm, the ant activity increases
- A large number of flowers and vegetable gardens of any ant species arise problems. There is nothing to be worried here some black ants and usually.
- Many solutions to get rid of ants will not harm the plants and it is easy to apply to get rid of ants. In extreme conditions, you may need to call a professional.
Ants, like most insects, run with increasing activity when the temperature increases as the horticulture season increases. Not all ants are bad, but nests in flowers and vegetable beds can form a disturbance. Small black ants are generally harmless, but a colony of leafCter ants can destroy food crops, and Aggressive fire ants Build a huge mound and distribute a painful sting when disturbed.
Find out what attracts ants in your garden and ways to get rid of them for good.
Why do you have ants in your garden?
Gardens provide a rich housing for ants with food, water and shelter.
Aphid infection One of the biggest attractions for ants is. After feeding on your plants, the honeydue they leave is a major food source for ants. They protect herds and aphids and move them from plant to plant to plant to ensure the supply of honeyds. In turn, aphids have a major opportunity to reproduce and harm food crops and flowers.
While the roots of the plant are not a food source, ant activity causes damage with nests, tunnels and accidental chewing. Seeds are particularly weak, and too much ants can cause plant loss.
If you look at some black ants around your plants, it is usually nothing to be worried. But when you look at the clear nest with a lot of activities around potted plants or flowers or food crops, it is time to take action.
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6 natural ways to get rid of ants without damaging plants
The ants have a well -developed sense of smell and they avoid the smell that they seem unpleasant. The gardeners can use it for their benefits, leaving a nest for more favorable conditions to ants. Some methods send ants on contact, while others act as repellent or obstacles. Depending on your specific requirements, some will work better than others. You can also add methods for a multi-level approach.
- Soaking: Dipping the nest and surrounding area with water sinks the workers and possibly the queen, which disrupts the colony. Water with warm water, or a few drops of essential oil, discourages the remaining people, such as mint or citrus, returning. Soaking works best on a cold morning when ants are close to the soil surface.
- Borex and Chinese: Borex is a natural mineral that kills ants or if contacted or swallowed. It can be given in the form of liquid, powder or paste. For liquid fodder, mix 2 tablespoons of borax with 2 tablespoons of sugar in 1 cup warm water. Mix a dry bait with similar parts borax and sugar, or use three parts sugar for a part borax. Add some water to make a paste. Keep solutions around the nests and the ant trails. Drawing from sugar, ants take back this deadly content to the nest to send more ants.
- diatomaceous earth: This organic material comes in the form of powder and acts as a barrier, preventing access to plants. It is made of exoskeleton of small sea animals and contains sharp sharks that enter the ants’ body and send them. Storage the powder around the potted plants and beds.
- vinegar: A solution of similar parts serves as vinegar and water as a distort. When you look at a lot of ants in one line, they are following a pheromone trail. Strong vinegar smells masks pheromone and confuses ants, allowing them to depart for a new location. Mix in a spray bottle and spray with a nest opening and annt trail. Can use vinegar over Change soil pHSo be prudent with this solution.
- cinnamon: This common kitchen masala is another smell preventive that causes ants to leave for a more acceptable location. Sprinkle cinnamon around infected plants and flowers.
- coffee grounds: The coffee ground used is a short -term solution that serves as an odor disturbance and physical barrier. They also improve soil with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Sprinkle grounds spent with ant trails and around nest opening.
alert
There is an acid toxic for pets and children when large amounts of consumption in borax is consumed. When using a borax and sugar solution to get rid of ants, consider using a spray in high traffic areas, or place powder or paste in closed containers with small holes to only access the ants.
5 ways to stop ants from coming back
- Sanitize: Especially after external phenomena, keep the yard and garden clean with clean food and drink.
- Clean yard debris: Remove the debris, which attract ants, remove the debris.
- Fellow plants: Interplant Flowerbeds and Vegetables Strongly with aromatic herbs that do not like ants, such as mint, rosemary and marigolds.
- Remove water sources: Fix the dripped tap and remove the sources of standing water.
- Apply natural repellent: Sprinkle or spray cinnamon, coffee ground, or vinegar with ant trails and with nesting openings.
When to call in professionals
If you find a large colony of ants and are uncertain about which species they are or are working with potentially harmful ant (eg fire ants), a professional extraterinary can help. Companies are licensed to use unavailable products for homeowners and there is a possibility of specific treatment for your problem.
