Although it is quite annoying, actually ants do not harm the plants in the pot. Ants are attracted to the sweet droppings left by some other pests in the soil, such as aphids and mealybugs. Fire ants like to make nests in potted plants and hide in plant leaves. There are several ways to get rid of ants from potted plants. You can kill them with insecticide or bait, soak them in a mixture of water and insecticidal soap, or deter ants with household items. If the ants still won't leave, change the soil and clean your pot.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Using Insecticides and Bait
Step 1. Apply an insecticide containing permethrin to the soil
When ants eat or touch permethrin, their nervous system will be paralyzed and they will die. Permethrin is produced in various forms: concentrated liquids, dusts, powders and aerosols. Before using permethrin on potted plants, read the instructions for use carefully. These insecticides can be harmful to humans if not used properly.
- Use a concentrated liquid insecticide on your potted plants. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to make an effective permethrin solution, then use as directed.
- Call your doctor or veterinarian immediately if you, a family member, or pet are exposed to the spray and swallow permethrin.
Step 2. Destroy the entire ant colony using bait
Ants will be attracted to baits made of sugar, oil, and protein to which a slow-acting insecticide is added. Worker ants will carry the toxic food to the colony and transfer the harmful food directly to the mouths of other worker ants, their larvae, and queens. When the poisonous bait moves from one ant to another or to the larvae, the colony population will gradually decrease.
- Ant bait can be purchased in the form of bars and can be directly inserted into the pot of the affected plant.
- You can also use reusable bait kits. Since the trap is refillable, this method is suitable for getting rid of large numbers of ants. Fill the bait equipment with the insecticide you want. Cover the utensil and place it near the base of the plant. Check the trap frequently to remove and refill bait as needed.
- Bait is the type of insecticide that is considered the safest. However, before using ant bait, always read the packaging to make sure it is safe to use around pets and children. Purchase a bait that contains one of these active ingredients: hydramethylnon, boric acid, fipronil, or avermectin B.
- Do not use baits containing cyfluthrin or permethrin. This fast-acting insecticide will kill the worker ants before they reach the colony.
Step 3. Cover the top layer of soil with diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth is an organic mineral based insecticide. Sprinkle this lime-like substance at the base and around the potted plant. The ants in the pot will die in about 30 minutes from the time you sprinkle the diatomaceous earth.
- This material becomes less effective in wet conditions. Reapply diatomaceous earth after watering, rain, or when there is a lot of dew.
- Do not inhale diatomaceous earth.
- Store the rest in a sealed bag so you don't come into contact with this product.
Step 4. Mix 2 cups of water with 1 tablespoon of peppermint soap
Spray this mixture onto the leaves of the plant.
Get rid of ants on the leaves of plants by spraying them with water through a hose
Method 2 of 4: Dipping the Pot in Water
Step 1. Prepare the solution
If your potted plant is truly infested with ants, soak the soil in an insecticide solution mixed with water to get rid of them. Ants that come into contact with this insecticide will drown or die. Here's how to make the solution:
- Prepare a clean bucket.
- Put 4 liters of water in a bucket. (Add double or triple the amount of water if your pot is large).
- Add 1 cup of insecticidal soap or detergent/dish soap to 4 liters of water and mix well. Detergents and dish soap are lighter and cheaper alternatives, but are less effective than insecticidal soaps. Some brands of dish soap and detergent include: Sunlight, Mama Lemon, Rinso, So Klin, and Surf.
Step 2. Divide the solution
First, set aside about half of the solution to soak the pot. Get a bucket or tub large enough to hold the pot in it and fill it with half of the mixture. Second, put the solution in a small spray bottle that will be used to spray the ants out of the potting soil. Finally, pour the remaining solution into the soil in the pot that was attacked by ants.
Step 3. Pour about half of the mixture into the potting soil
Move the plant to a shady area in the yard. Gently pour half of the insecticide mixture all over the potting soil. Spray the ants out of the pot using an insecticide solution. Leave the pot there for an hour.
Insecticidal soaps are mild and safe for use in organic gardens. This soap contains potassium fatty acid which is specially made to kill insects on contact, but is not harmful to animals or humans. Because it has a low toxic effect on mammals, it is considered safe when used around pets and children, and has been approved for use in organic farming. While this solution won't damage your yard or garden, it's a good idea to take your pots out onto a concrete patio or driveway in your yard to reduce the risk of possible damage
Step 4. Soak the entire pot in the insecticide solution
After the solution is poured all over the potting soil, insert and soak the pot in the insecticide solution. Let the pot soak in the solution for 15 minutes. Spray ants that come out of potted plants using an insecticide mixture. Remove the pot from the solution and place it on the ground.
Step 5. Rinse your plants and pots with clean water
With a hose, wet the entire plant in the pot with clean water. The water will rinse away any residual insecticide solution. Allow the soil and potted plants to dry completely before moving them to a sunny location or re-watering them.
Method 3 of 4: Replacing the Soil in a Pot
Step 1. Rinse your plant roots
To destroy an ant colony, remove and replace the affected soil. Carefully use a small shovel to remove the plant from the pot. Remove any soil remaining in the pot. Gently spray the plant roots using a hose to remove ants or soil that has been inhabited by ants.
This can get dirty, so do the cleaning where it doesn't matter if it gets wet and dirty
Step 2. Clean the pot
After the soil in the pot is removed, clean the pot. Clean the pot thoroughly to ensure that no soil remains. Use a sponge or cloth to scrub the outside and inside of the pot using a mixture made of one part bleach and 10 parts water.
Step 3. Return your plant to the pot
Fill your pot with clean, ant-free soil. Place the plant in clean soil and fill any voids with new soil. When finished, water your plants evenly.
If the roots of your plant are too big for the pot, replant it in a larger pot
Method 4 of 4: Using Household Products
Step 1. Spread the coffee grounds on the potting soil
Ants do not like coffee grounds and will avoid it as much as possible. Sprinkle coffee grounds on the potting soil. Spread the coffee grounds in a small circle around the base of the plant.
Step 2. Surround the plants using toxic household materials or those that can deter ants
If you don't like using insecticides, especially if you have children or pets, try using ingredients from kitchen cabinets to kill or prevent ants. Some examples of ingredients that can be used include baking soda, cinnamon, pepper, chili powder, and peppermint. Surround the base of the potted plant with one of these materials in a small circle.
Step 3. Make an ant trap out of non-toxic materials
If you don't want to hurt the ants, make a non-toxic sticky trap. To replace poison ant bait, surround the plant with contact paper (paper with adhesive on one side). Ants will be trapped when trying to pass through the paper.
- Cut the contact paper in a circle that matches the base of the plant in your pot.
- Separate the two layers of contact paper and place the non-stick side of the paper on the ground.
- Arrange so that the plant is right in the center of the contact paper (on the sticky side).
- Change the paper if needed.
