How do I kill ants in potted plants?

Lisa
by Lisa

I have a tomato plant in a patio planter and now have a large ant bed there as well. How do I get rid of the ants without harming the plant?

  4 answers
  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on May 15, 2019

    Check into diatomaceous earth or GardenTech Sevin Insect Killer granules.

  • Everything Pretty Everything Pretty on May 15, 2019

    DE is good stuff and not toxic to plants or people or pets

  • I use packaged cornbread mix that says it is sweetened and put it where they are. They will take it to the mound, everyone will eat it and die, they can't digest the cornmeal, but will take it because it is sweetened. Little goes a long way.


    I read this from : Itsmemic

    Medicated powder from the Dollar Tree. It has eucalyptus in it...menthol...I puff it around my homes foundation..and inside under my birdcages in the cracks under moldings. Work immediately and they never come back. I do this at the first sign of ants..in one day..GONE. The powder is in a very large container and lasts quite awhile too !! And smells great !

    Not toxic to my birds OR dog


    What if you make a barrier around the house.

    I did some research, since we know what works for one person doesn't always work for another. I found this site and it's pretty informative. I know some tips you may not be able to use but there are some good ones also that will hopefully help.

    https://www.familyhandyman.com/pest-control/how-to-get-rid-of-ants/view-all/


    Ants are so weird. One time I found them inside the freezer in the garage!! What would possess them to go inside a freezer only to die? They must have sent signals back or something ~ there were no ant trails only a freezer full of dead ants. Hasn't happened since.


    Ant Spray - https://www.hometalk.com/diy/outdoor/pest-repeller/cheap-easy-homemade-ant-spray-31195184?

  • Lilian Strom Lilian Strom on May 21, 2019

    Put Oranges ( Fruit ) peal , the Ants do not like the skin of the Oranges.