How do I get ants out of outside planters that I brought in house?

I brought an outside plant in the house since got colder and noticed ants coming out of the bottom of. I don't want to lose the plant, but I don't want ants in the house. What can I do to get rid of ants but not kill plant?

  4 answers
  • Cindy Cindy on Oct 17, 2018

    Hi Christine. My name is Cindy. If you put some good old-fashioned white vinegar in a spray bottle and spray it on the ants, it will kill them. Effective and expensive.

  • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Oct 17, 2018

    Powdered boric acid (now available at Dollar stores) Roach Proof is also boric acid. They walk through it and when they bathe themselves they ingest it and it destroys their nervous system.

    Will not hurt pets or people.

    Food grade diatomaceous earth also is not toxic to us, but can’t be bought at dollar stores.

  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Oct 17, 2018

    Only use the vinegar on the ants that are outside of the pots. The vinegar if it gets on the leaves or soil may affect or even kill it if enough gets on the plant. It is used as a weed killer. You can put some terro by the bottom of the pot where they are coming out. My mom always used the little white plastic container ones, that way the poison didn't get on the floor or get stepped on and tracked all over.

  • Pam Walker Pam Walker on Oct 18, 2018

    VINEGAR ~ Only spray the soil & basket. Don't get it on the leaves but soak the basket so the scent will last. It won't hurt the roots or soil but will hurt the leaves. Also, spray your outside area heavily around the perimeter of it & the floor. They can't get to the plants if they can't crawl on the porch or railings to get to them. GL