How to kill ants inside large plant pots?
I think i have a nest of ants in my pot plants. Every time I water them the ants are everywhere. How can I get rid of them without killing my plants.
Related Discussions
GNATS - How to get rid of them?
Somehow my house and garden got tiny gnats that killed my fuchsia plant and fly everywhere. I have tried ALL the Web recommendations - soap and oil dishes, sand in th... See more
Marigolds growing! Should I pinch the buds?
My marigold plants are growing. I heard that pinching the buds until Autumn will allow them to grow without killing the plant. Is this true?
Growing garlic
Growing our first garlic, should we wait until the leaves are drying out before we pick it? Husband picked first one today along with our first potatoes.
How to keep mice out of your garden?
Hi everyone, I have mice in my garden destroying my vegetables and I have also noticed them in the barn and shed. Please can someone tell me how to prevent them from ... See more
What's the best flower/plant to grow in Texas?
I know that opinions vary, but what's your opinion?!I have great luck w Rosemary plants. Green all year long.
Can you use borax in plant pots to kill ants?
Can someone tell me what kind of animal this was in my yard?
I thought maybe a rabbit was burrowing in my yard, but it's almost dead center of my lawn (not a very smart rabbit). The hole is not very deep, and I replanted it onc... See more
If you can, place the plant in a container of water deeper than the pot, thiis floods them out. I have had success with repeated daily flooding of the plant too, just add water.
Another thing I have done is to use Terro (available at diy stores in the pest control section). I put this liquid Borax on the cardboard squares they give you Ants love this and they take it back to their colony.
I agree with the Terro recommendation. In addition, here's a link with more ideas of you need them:
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Ants-from-Potted-Plants
Get an ant bait trap. The worker ants take the poison back to the queen and she dies. The colony cant live without her.
You can get ant spikes. Stick them in the soil and ants will go to the bait that shows as a little circle on the top side of the spike. They take poison back to the nest. Another product that we use is called "Home Defense". Spray or pour it in your planter. It won't hurt plants.
I would just get one of those small plastic Raid ant poison containers and place it at the bottom of the plant. I don't think the poison leaks out of those.
Hello
Outdoors?
I use the Terro ant stations each year they are very effective.
https://www.terro.com/terro-outdoor-liquid-ant-bait
If you find ants in your indoor plants, take them outside immediately so the ants don’t become established inside your home. To get rid of the ants nesting in container plants, you’ll need a bucket or tub larger and deeper than your flower pot and concentrated insecticidal soap, available at any garden supply store. Here is a simple procedure that will eliminate the ants once and for all: Place the plant container inside a bucket or tub. Make a solution using one or two tablespoons of insecticidal soap per quart of water. Fill the bucket or tub until the solution barely covers the surface of the potting soil. Let the plant soak for 20 minutes.
Read more at Gardening Know How: Ants In Flower Pots: How To Get Rid Of Ants In Pots https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/ants-in-flower-pots.htm
Optiguard ant gel is the best product around. It works overnight and kills the entire colony with a few BB sized drops. You have to kill the queen so they have to take the poison to her. Otherwise all of the crazy sprays etc people tell you to use are just killing the worker ants and she will produce more. Amazon sells it and it works like a charm.
Strange as it may sound, if you sprinkle dry corn muffin Jiffy Mix onto the surace of the soil in your pots, within a few days your ant problems will be gone. Evidently the worker ants take the morsels back to the queen and the cornmeal is not digestible by the ants and they die. I've done this a few times and am always amazed that the ants just disappear over time. May need to repat in a few months but it is an easy and inepensive way to deal with the ants.
You could try some diatomaceous earth which is all natural. Try leaving some Terro Liquid Bait Traps around the plant pot too.
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer.
Yes, a bait trap would be a good idea. This guide has everything you need to know: https://www.hometalk.com/diy/outdoor/pest-repeller/quick-dyi-sweet-bait-to-treat-and-get-rid-of-your-ants-18515410
How to Get Rid of Ants With Borax & Sugar