How to Get Rid of Ants on Strawberry Plants: 12 Organic Methods

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Robby

Ants can be a real nuisance in the garden, especially when they invade your precious strawberry patch. While ants help aerate soil and consume pests, large infestations can damage your plants and ruin your strawberry harvest. Instead of dousing your garden in harsh chemicals, try these organic ant deterrents to protect your berries in an eco-friendly way.

Why Are Ants Attracted to Strawberries?

Ants are attracted to the natural sugars and juices inside ripe strawberries They also feed on honeydew secretions from aphids and other sap-sucking pests that attack strawberry plants Damaged or rotting fruit are other ant magnets.

While ants don’t directly damage plants, they do spread disease and allow infections to take hold by exposing inner fruit flesh Left uncontrolled, ants will carry off your crop and can even kill developing shoots and runners by burying them in new nesting mounds

12 Organic Ways to Get Rid of Ants in Strawberry Plants

1. Use Diatomaceous Earth

Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the base of plants and along ant trails. The sharp edges of this chalky powder cut ants’ exoskeletons causing dehydration and death. Reapply after rain or watering.

2. Mix Garlic Water Spray

Blend several crushed garlic cloves with water and let sit overnight. Strain and mix the garlic water with a bit of liquid dish soap. Spray onto plants and soil to deter ants. Reapply weekly.

3. Spread Coffee Grounds

Used coffee grounds repel ants with their strong smell. Sprinkle them around plants, along garden edges and ant trails. Their abrasive texture also deters ants from crossing.

4. Apply Petroleum Jelly Barriers

Coat plant stems with a sticky petroleum jelly ring. Ants get stuck when they try to climb across. Reapply after rainfall to maintain effectiveness.

5. Use Insecticidal Soap

Insecticidal soap spray disrupts ants’ waxy outer layer causing dehydration. Mix 2-3 tablespoons per gallon of water and spray directly on ants and nests. Reapply weekly.

6. Set Out Citrus Peels

Scatter fresh citrus peels around plants. The strong citrus oils act as a natural ant repellent. Replace peels every few days as the oils quickly evaporate.

7. Apply Chili Pepper Spray

Puree 2 cups of chili peppers with water and strain. Add 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap. The capsaicin in peppers repels ants on contact. Reapply weekly.

8. Use Ant Repelling Plants

Grow ant deterring plants like mint, tansy, pennyroyal and wormwood around your strawberry patch. Crush leaves to release more oils before scattering them around.

9. Pour Boiling Water on Colonies

Boil water and pour directly onto ant hills and trails. This will kill ants and deter them from returning. Repeat treatments may be needed for large colonies.

10. Set Out Sweet Liquid Baits

Mix a sweet liquid like sugar water with boric acid or borax. Place in shallow containers near plants. Ants are poisoned when they eat this mixture and share it with the colony.

11. Sprinkle Baby Powder

Baby powder’s fine texture irritates ants’ tiny joints and damages their waxy coat. Puff it onto nests, entry points and trails. Reapply after rainfall.

12. Remove Food Sources

Eliminate aphids, rotting fruits/veggies, spilled nectar and other ant food sources. Trim back vegetation touching buildings. Manage kitchen and garden waste properly.

Prevention Tips

  • Avoid overwatering which promotes fungal diseases.
  • Don’t over fertilize with nitrogen that attracts sap-sucking pests.
  • Remove spent plants and rotate annual crops to disrupt ant nesting.
  • Keep the garden free of weeds that give cover for insects.
  • Check for ants daily and treat nests early before they multiply.

Using multiple deterrents is more effective and environmentally safe than chemical pesticides. Be patient for results when applying organic ant control solutions. Protect your strawberries from ants without harming your garden’s biodiversity.

how to get rid of ants on strawberry plants

Ants are a normal and almost certain aspect of gardening, how do we keep them at bay without harsh chemical applications?

It seems inevitable: We plant our gardens, spring and summer settle in and things seem to be going swell…until we begin to notice those telltale mounds with trails of pesky ants beginning to take over. It often feels as though one day they were not there, the next our gardens and the lovely produce we have worked so hard to grow, is covered in ants.

There is a fine line between a few beneficial ants, and an army covering everything in sight. While it is almost impossible to deter 100% of the ants determined to move in, it is important to remember that in some ways, ants are somewhat beneficial to the garden, as they help aerate the soil.

how to get rid of ants on strawberry plants

I have several of the plants listed above in my garden already, but am still battling ants…now what?

When an ant population begins to get out of control and even ant repelling plants aren’t doing enough, it’s time to consider trying natural remedies which are plant, pet and human safe but are effective in cutting down on the number of ants. Listed below are several options for natural deterrents beyond plants that are readily available and easy to apply in your garden.

  • Cinnamon – sprinkling cinnamon over your garden is effective (but slightly more expensive than other options)
  • Lemon Juice – dilute lemon juice with water (50/50) and spray liberally. The lemon destroys the scent trail ants depend on for survival.
  • Vinegar – similar to lemon juice, a 50/50 vinegar to water concentration will destroy the ants scent trail as well as often killing ants on contact. Test a small spot first and wait a day to take note of any burn marks on the plants, as vinegar can be very astringent to more delicate leaves.
  • Cayenne or Black Pepper – both of these options may be applied directly to the soil or can be mixed into a water solution (2 tablespoons per 1 cup of water) and sprayed on your garden. Like the vinegar option, test a small area and wait a day to take note of the potential damage of the pepper spray to more delicate leaves.

how to get rid of ants on strawberry plants

A Home Remedy for Ants in Your Vegetable Garden – 4 Parts Sugar to 1 Part Borax: Two Minute TRG Tips

FAQ

How do I keep ants out of my strawberries?

To deter ants from your strawberries, you can use a combination of methods like applying diatomaceous earth, using herbs like mint or thyme around the plants, or creating a natural barrier with coffee grounds or a vinegar solution.

How to get rid of aphids and ants on strawberry plants?

Aphids. Soapy water sprayed directly on the bugs will kill them, without harm to the strawberries, and no residual effect on other insects. New aphids will replace them, so you’ll need to spray them every few days. Just fill a clean spray bottle with water and add a squirt of dish soap.

What is the best pest control for strawberry plants?

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How to get rid of ants in fruit plants?

Make your own soap solution with 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap in 1 pint of warm water. Spray it on and around your plant. Soaps containing peppermint oil are particularly effective.

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