How to Get Rid of Ants Without Harming Bees

Ants and bees can both be beneficial insects in your yard. Ants help aerate soil and bees pollinate plants. However, ants near your home or invading your house can quickly become a nuisance. Getting rid of ants without also harming bees takes some care and strategic ant control methods. Here’s how to eliminate ants in your yard and home without putting bees at risk.

Why You Should Avoid Broad-Spectrum Insecticides

It may be tempting to use a strong, broad-spectrum insecticide labeled for ant control all around your house and yard. However, most insecticides that kill ants will also kill bees and other beneficial insects.

Using broadcast applications of insecticides is not a targeted approach. Spraying your whole yard or spraying baseboards and other surfaces inside your home exposes bees and other pollinators to the insecticide. Even if you only see ants, there are likely solitary bees and other beneficial insects around that will also contact the insecticide.

So instead of reaching for a simple one-step total insecticide solution, use more selective and targeted methods to control ants without harming bees.

Tips to Get Rid of Ants Outdoors Without Harming Bees

Here are some tips for controlling ants in your yard and landscaping without putting bees and other pollinators at risk:

• Find and treat colonies – Spend time locating where ants are nesting and trailing in your yard Target control methods at ant mounds and these key areas instead of doing broadcast treatments

• Use baits and localized treatments – Apply granular baits or spray treatments only where you actually see ants trailing and congregating. This way pollinators foraging elsewhere won’t contact the insecticide.

• Choose selective ingredients – Opt for ant baits and sprays containing borates, diatomaceous earth, or insect growth regulators. Avoid neonicotinoids and broad-spectrum insecticides

• Don’t spray blooming plants – Never spray insecticides directly onto blooming plants, trees, or shrubs bees may forage on.

• Avoid residual sprays – Residual sprays and granules can cling to plant surfaces and harm bees later. Only apply them as spot treatments where bees don’t forage.

• Carefully apply insecticide granules – If using scatter granular insecticides, apply them directly to ant mounds and trails, and sweep up any granules that scatter outside target treatment areas.

Tips for Eliminating Indoor Ants Without Endangering Bees

Controlling ants that have invaded your house requires special care not to accidentally poison bees outside:

• Seal indoor entry points – Caulk and seal cracks and crevices so ants can’t enter your home. This lets you focus treatments only where ants have already come inside.

• Use contained baits indoors – Opt for ant baits enclosed inside bait stations instead of exposed sprays or granules that could cling to surfaces.

• Don’t use perimeter barrier sprays – Spraying an insecticide barrier around your home’s foundation to keep ants out risks contaminating bees in your yard.

• Wipe and clean instead of spraying – For ants trails on interior surfaces, wipe up with soapy water or vacuum instead of spraying insecticides which could drift outdoors.

• Dispose of dead ants carefully – When vacuuming or wiping up dead ants, make sure to seal them into a bag for outdoor disposal away from pollinator habitats.

Natural Ways to Control Ants Around Bees

For a more bee-friendly approach, you can also use natural and home remedies to get rid of ants:

• Diatomaceous earth ant dust
• Borax ant baits
• Vinegar or soapy water sprays
• Lemon juice or citrus oil sprays
• Cucumber peel ant repellent
• Pepper and mint essential oil deterrents
• Chalk barriers around potted plants

While natural options won’t provide the same level of control as insecticides, they can be useful additions to an integrated pest management plan for getting rid of ants without harming bees. Always focus application on targeted ant trails and nests only.

When Insecticide Use May Be Necessary

For heavy ant infestations, or ants nesting directly in your home’s walls and structures, insecticide treatment may be needed to fully eliminate the ants. In these cases:

• Consult a pest management professional to apply insecticides in the least toxic way.

• Opt for ant baits or gels over broadcast sprays whenever possible.

• Make sure the pest control technician knows you want to avoid harming bees on your property.

• Have them do exterior treatments at night when bees are less active.

• Make sure they clean up and dispose of any outdoor treatment residues that could impact bees.

How to Protect Bees While Getting Rid of Ants

Controlling ants doesn’t have to mean putting bees at risk. Follow these tips when managing ants on your property:

• Inspect carefully and use targeted treatments only where you see ants.

• Select ant baits and insecticides that contain bee-safe ingredients.

• Never spray blooming plants bees are foraging on.

• Avoid spraying around bee nests and hives.

• Dispose of dead ants and residues safely to avoid bee poisoning.

• Supplement insecticides with natural deterrents whenever possible.

With some caution and strategic application, you can eliminate nuisance ants from your yard and home without harming beneficial pollinating bees. Keep bees safe by using selective, contained products and treatments only where ants are actively trailing and nesting on your property.