Ants in plants?

Andrea S
by Andrea S
i have ants in my orchid. I don't know how they got in there, must have happened while I was on vacation. But I don't know how to get them out now, any suggestions?
  8 answers
  • Robin Berteau Robin Berteau on Nov 05, 2013
    I used diatomaceous earth (food grade) when I got ants in my potted herbs. They were gone in about three days.
  • Andrea S Andrea S on Nov 05, 2013
    Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas.
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Nov 06, 2013
    The ants are probably not doing any damage to your orchid, but they may have been attracted by something that is. Look for signs of scale, mealybugs or aphids and swab those areas with rubbing alcohol. Another suggestion from the American Orchid Society is to try tucking bay leaves in your orchid pot. Bay leaves repel ants.
    • Andrea S Andrea S on Nov 06, 2013
      @Douglas Hunt Will try the bay leave...it doesn't look like I have any damage but will swab with alcohol just to make sure. Thanks.
  • Coco Tree Service Corp Coco Tree Service Corp on Nov 06, 2013
    You could pour some a decent amount of water hot enough to kill the ants and the queen and mild enough to not damage the plant. You can also draw a circular line using an ant chalk. The ant chalks is effective in getting rid of the ants fast. Also cinnamon can kill ants. The simplest method would be to move the houseplants outside. http://www.thebugsquad.com/ants/getting-rid-of-ants-fast/
    • Andrea S Andrea S on Nov 06, 2013
      @Coco Tree Service Corp I have done the water and several ants left but there are still lots, and it's cold here so I can't move the orchids outside
  • Hilliriah Jacobs Hilliriah Jacobs on Nov 06, 2013
    cream of wheat works too they will take it back to the queen ants they will all die .You can also use severin its a powder
  • Andrea S Andrea S on Nov 06, 2013
    i heard cornmeal and tried that didn't seam to do anything may try the cream of wheat but afraid will have same outcome. Thanks though
  • Sherry Sherry on Nov 06, 2013
    I have with success replanted a ant infested plant. I took the plant out of it's container got most of the dirt off the roots soaked them and replanted the plant in a new container with fresh ant free dirt. Hope this helps.
  • Tina Tina on Nov 07, 2013
    I found Gant's ant stakes works the best and simplest. I just put one in the infested pot before I water the plant. The watering will get the ants out of the pot to eat the chemical then I walk away. The ants eat the chemical and take the poison to the nest killing the colony. Good luck!