When ants have made a full-time home in the rootball of one of my potted plants, I use a cheap, non-toxic substance to get rid of them. It’s called water.
I’ll explain how I go about this using the example of one of my coffee plants, which last week became the home to an Argentine ant colony and needed the water treatment.
First, I get a bucket that is slightly bigger than the pot and put the pot into the bucket. Then I fill the bucket with water until the water line is above the pot’s mix. Pot in bucket. Filled with water above mix level.
I leave the pot underwater until I see no more ants emerging, giving them plenty of time to run far away from the potted plant to find a new home. This usually takes three or four hours.
Lift the pot out of the bucket and let it drain. I like to let it drain near a plant I want to water so that no water is wasted.
That’s it. The ants are gone. Coffee plant back with his friends under the shade of an oak tree.
Will the ants come back? Possibly. In my experience, they sometimes do and sometimes don’t. If they do, simply repeat the process. It’s not very time consuming, and it certainly isn’t costly.
Those are two advantages of this control method. Another is that it waters your plant, thoroughly. Also, it is not harmful to the plant. I’ve even done it to plants whose roots are exceptionally sensitive to low oxygen, such as avocados, and the plants haven’t shown any suffering.
This water bath treatment doesn’t even harm the ants, really; it only forces them to migrate. Nor does it appear to hurt any other critters living in the potting mix. I sometimes see worms at the surface of the potting mix after this immersion, but the worms just dig back into the mix once the water is drained out.
Here’s a three-minute video where I get rid of the ants in the pot of the coffee plant:
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Ants in flower pots are a common nuisance that many gardeners face. These tiny insects are attracted to the moist soil and food sources that potted plants provide. While ants may not directly damage plants, their presence is annoying and can indicate larger issues. Fortunately, there are a number of effective methods to eliminate ants from planters and keep them from returning.
Why Ants Are Drawn to Flower Pots
Ants are opportunistic insects and excellent survivors. They seek out environments that meet their basic needs – food water, and shelter. Potted plants offer ideal conditions that draw ants in including
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Food sources – Flowers, fruits, leaves, and roots exude sweet substances like nectar and honeydew that ants love. Ants also eat decaying plant matter in potting soil.
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Moisture – Potting soils retain moisture ants need to survive. During hot dry weather ants are particularly attracted to irrigated potted plants.
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Shelter – The loose, gravely nature of potting mixes are perfect spots for ants to build nests and hide from predators and the elements
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Warmth – Pots absorb heat from the sun, creating cozy areas for ants during cooler weather.
Understanding exactly why ants are attracted to pots gives you the knowledge to make your containers less appealing. Limiting food, moisture, shelter, and warmth goes a long way towards preventing ant infestations.
Signs of Ants in Flower Pots
Detecting ants early before they get established and multiply is key. Be on the lookout for these common signs:
- Ant trails in or around pots
- Dirt mounds around plant bases
- Ants crawling on plant leaves and stems
- Clusters of ants in pot drainage holes
- Wilting, stressed plants (can indicate ant damage to roots)
- Presence of aphids, scales, or other sap-sucking insects ants tend for honeydew
Act quickly at the first sign of ants to get the infestation under control before it spreads.
How to Get Rid of Ants in Pots
When you discover ants have invaded your potted plants, taking rapid action using organic, eco-friendly methods is best. Here are 10 simple tips to eliminate ants from flower pots and prevent their return:
1. Remove Food Sources
Eliminate any aphids, scales, mealybugs or other honeydew producing insects that attract ants. Apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap sprays as needed. Remove fallen flowers, fruits, and debris ants may feed on.
2. Let Soil Dry Out
Allow potting mix to dry out slightly between waterings. Moisture-loving ants will leave and look elsewhere.
3. Use Hydrogen Peroxide
Spray a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution directly onto ants and around pot rims to kill and repel them. Reapply after rainfall.
4. Apply Diatomaceous Earth
Spread food-grade diatomaceous earth around pots and on soil. The sharp edges cut ants’ bodies, causing dehydration and death. Reapply after watering.
5. Use Coffee Grounds
Sprinkle fresh coffee grounds around pots. Caffeine and nitrogen are unappealing to ants forcing them to leave. Reapply grounds weekly.
6. Plant Strong-Scented Herbs
Grow mint, tansy, and other strong herbs in pots to mask attractive nectar scents and repel ants. Crush leaves to release more aroma.
7. Use Essential Oils
Wipe pots down with cotton balls soaked in peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree or other essential oils ants dislike. Reapply oils weekly.
8. Set Out Ant Baits
Use borax-based or commercial liquid ant bait stations near pots. Worker ants are drawn in and eliminated when bait is shared back at the nest.
9. Flood Pots
Submerge infested pots in water for several hours to force ants to evacuate. Drain and rinse pots thoroughly before returning plants.
10. Re-pot Plants
Remove and destroy old potting mix. Wash pots in soapy water. Repot plants in sterile, ant-free potting soils to eliminate nesting sites.
Combining several of these methods often provides the best control. Be patient, as it can take weeks for ants to fully disappear. But with persistence, you can enjoy ant-free flower pots again.
Tips to Keep Ants Away From Flower Pots
Prevention is the best way to avoid ant invasions in container plants. Here are some helpful tips:
- Allow potting soil to dry out between waterings
- Use pea gravel “mulch” on top of potting mix
- Elevate pots off the ground on saucers, blocks, etc
- Keep nearby areas free of debris and rotting wood
- Wipe pots down with essential oils weekly
- Apply diatomaceous earth around pots regularly
- Immediately control any sap-sucking insects like aphids
- Avoid over-fertilizing plants
- Prune plants to limit food sources like flowers/fruits
- Check new potting soil for ants before use
Keeping your potted plants healthy and vigorours is also key to preventing many pest issues, including ants. With some diligence, you can keep these pesky insects from invading your pots. Vigilance and taking action at the first sign of ants is critical to success.
When to Seek Professional Help
In severe cases, heavily infested pots with extensive ant nests may warrant professional pest control assistance. If ant populations are high and resistant to natural control methods, contacting a pest management company is prudent.
They have commercial-grade insecticide sprays and baits that can eliminate large ant colonies. However, these chemicals must be applied cautiously to minimize risks to families, pets, and the environment.
For moderate ant invasions, committing to natural methods and patience usually brings successful control over time. The rewards are beautiful, ant-free container plants you can enjoy all season long.
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Im Greg. My goal is to help you grow food at home, with a focus on vegetables and fruits — especially avocados — in Southern California. I write a new “Yard Post” every Friday.
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Ants: Double Trouble! How to Control Them in the Vegetable Garden
FAQ
Is it bad to have ants in your potted plants?
Ants will usually not harm your plants, with the exception of ‘farmers’ those that milk aphids for honeydew. I actually try to get ants to move into my pots.
How do I kill ants in a flower pot?
Mix, borax and powdered sugar, half and half. Sprinkle that in your pot. It will draw the ants to the surface to eat it. The borax will kill them.
Why do ants get into flower pots?
Moisture: Ants are drawn to moisture, and potted plants offer a conducive environment with damp soil.
Can I sprinkle cinnamon on my plants for ants?
In short, no, cinnamon does not kill ants.7 days ago