When ants have made a full-time home in the rootball of one of my potted plants, I use a cheap, non-toxic substance to get rid of them. It’s called water.
I’ll explain how I go about this using the example of one of my coffee plants, which last week became the home to an Argentine ant colony and needed the water treatment.
First, I get a bucket that is slightly bigger than the pot and put the pot into the bucket. Then I fill the bucket with water until the water line is above the pot’s mix. Pot in bucket. Filled with water above mix level.
I leave the pot underwater until I see no more ants emerging, giving them plenty of time to run far away from the potted plant to find a new home. This usually takes three or four hours.
Lift the pot out of the bucket and let it drain. I like to let it drain near a plant I want to water so that no water is wasted.
That’s it. The ants are gone. Coffee plant back with his friends under the shade of an oak tree.
Will the ants come back? Possibly. In my experience, they sometimes do and sometimes don’t. If they do, simply repeat the process. It’s not very time consuming, and it certainly isn’t costly.
Those are two advantages of this control method. Another is that it waters your plant, thoroughly. Also, it is not harmful to the plant. I’ve even done it to plants whose roots are exceptionally sensitive to low oxygen, such as avocados, and the plants haven’t shown any suffering.
This water bath treatment doesn’t even harm the ants, really; it only forces them to migrate. Nor does it appear to hurt any other critters living in the potting mix. I sometimes see worms at the surface of the potting mix after this immersion, but the worms just dig back into the mix once the water is drained out.
Here’s a three-minute video where I get rid of the ants in the pot of the coffee plant:
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As a proud grower of the elegant alpine storks bill flower, you know just how cherished these blooms are in your garden But when ants invade these delicate flowers, it can quickly become an annoying and potentially damaging problem Getting rid of ants on alpine storks bill flowers takes persistence, but is completely doable with the right techniques. Let’s explore the best methods for safely and effectively eliminating ants from your prized flowers.
Why Ants Are Attracted to Alpine Storks Bill Flowers
Before jumping into ant control it helps to understand exactly why these pesky insects are drawn to alpine storks bill flowers in the first place. Here are the main reasons ants seek out these blooms
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Nectar – The sugary nectar produced by the flowers is like candy for ants They can’t resist the sweet treat
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Aphids – Ants have a symbiotic relationship with aphids, protecting them in exchange for the honeydew secreted by these sap-sucking pests. Unfortunately, aphids also love munching on alpine storks bill flowers.
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Shelter – The nooks and crannies within the flowers provide perfect nesting spots for ant colonies.
Eco-Friendly Ways to Banish Ants from Flowers
If you prefer natural solutions, there are several effective options for driving ants away from your alpine storks bill flowers without using harsh chemicals:
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Sprinkle cinnamon, chili powder, or dried peppermint around the flowers to deter ants with spicy aromas. Reapply after watering.
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Use vinegar or lemon juice diluted with water in a spray bottle. Mist flowers and surrounding soil daily.
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Place citrus peels around the blooms. The strong citrus oils help mask the flower’s scent.
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Mix dishwashing liquid with water and spray directly on ants to suffocate them on contact.
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Pour boiling water on ant hills and trails near flowers to instantly kill them. Be careful not to damage plant roots!
When to Use Chemical Ant Treatments on Flowers
For serious ant invasions, you may need to use commercial insecticide sprays or baits made specifically for ant control:
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Liquid ant baits – Place these containers near flowers. Ants are lured in and killed after ingesting the bait.
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Granular baits – Scatter these on soil around flowers. Slow-acting toxins kill ants over time.
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Sprays – Directly douse ants and trails around flowers with fast-acting sprays. Do this early morning or late evening when pollinators are less active.
Always follow label instructions carefully when using chemicals on alpine storks bill flowers. Only use outdoor-approved products to avoid harming your beloved blooms.
Prevent Ants from Returning with these Tips
Getting rid of current ant infestations is only half the battle. Here are some key ways to help prevent ants from re-colonizing your alpine storks bill flowers:
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Eliminate nearby food sources like spilled seed or compost that attract ants.
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Trim back foliage touching flowers to reduce hidden access points.
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Check for aphids frequently and use insecticidal soap to control outbreaks before ants arrive.
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Introduce natural ant predators like ladybugs and green lacewings to your garden.
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Adjust your watering to avoid excess moisture that can attract ants.
Enjoy Ant-Free Blooms with Diligence
Hopefully this gives you a comprehensive game plan for banishing ants from your beloved alpine storks bill flowers for good. While it may take patience and diligence to completely expel ants from your garden, the reward will be gorgeous, ant-free blooms you can proudly display all season long. Just remember to remain persistent with control methods, attack ants from multiple angles, and take preventative measures. With the right techniques, you can win the battle against ants and enjoy the true beauty of your treasured flowers.
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Im Greg. My goal is to help you grow food at home, with a focus on vegetables and fruits — especially avocados — in Southern California. I write a new “Yard Post” every Friday.
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NEW! How to Remove Ants on Peony Plant
FAQ
How to get rid of ants on hibiscus flower?
How do I get rid of ants on my flowering plants?
What can I spray on flowers to kill ants?
How do you stop ants from turning up?
Simply sweeping the ants up won’t stop more turning up – you need to remove the pheromone scents left behind. To do this, use a few sprays of white vinegar solution (one part vinegar to three parts water) and wipe with a damp cloth. This should destroy the pheromone trails and stop the ants in their tracks. 3. Deter ants with scented oils
Can ants damage a garden?
Ants cause very little damage in the garden, although if they build a nest in a plant pot then the rootball of the plant may be compromised and cause wilting of the plant. Ant hills in long grass can be annoying but not harmful to either the lawn or the garden.
How do I get rid of ants in my house?
Deter ants with scented oils To deter ants from your home, mix strongly scented peppermint or lavender oil with water and spray the mixture on to entry points like windowsills or door frames. If ants are nesting in your compost bin or beneath paving stones they are unlikely to be doing any harm, so do consider letting them get on with it.
Can you get rid of ants in your garden?
You might be tempted to get rid of ants in your garden, but bear in mind that ants are an important part of the garden ecosystem, being right at the bottom of the food chain, and are therefore an important source of food for many species, including birds and amphibians.