Ants are social insects in the Hymenoptera order (bees, wasps and ants). Like bees, they live in large nests comprising a queen and many (sterile female) workers. They can be a nuisance in gardens as they sometimes nest in plant pots and compost bins, while some species make ant hills in the lawn. Ants may sometimes enter our homes if a source of sugary food is easily available.
However they are never more than a nuisance and will not harm you, your children or your pets.
You might be tempted to get rid of ants in your garden, but bear in mind that ants are an important part of the garden ecosystem, being right at the bottom of the food chain, and are therefore an important source of food for many species, including birds and amphibians. There are more than 30 species of ant in the UK, with several of them found in our gardens.
The most common species of ant in the UK is the black ant, Lasius niger. It nests under pavements, in soil, pots and compost heaps, and at the edges of lawns. It is harmless and possesses no sting.
Another common garden ant is the yellow meadow ant, Lasius flavus. It builds small mounds in lawns and may be mistaken for red ants due to its colouring. Like the black ant, it is completely harmless.
Red ants (in the Myrmica genus) can bite and will cause a mild sting. However they are rarely found in gardens. They largely eat insects but some species have a preference for spiders.
Ants cause very little damage in the garden, although if they build a nest in a plant pot then the rootball of the plant may be compromised and cause wilting of the plant. Ant hills in long grass can be annoying but not harmful to either the lawn or the garden. Ants are known to farm aphids for their sweet-tasting honeydew and have been observed trying to disturb aphid predators in order to maintain large numbers of aphids on plants. This can result in plant damage.
Raised garden beds provide an excellent opportunity for growing beautiful plants and nutritious vegetables. However, these contained environments can also attract ant infestations that damage your plants. Getting rid of ants in raised beds requires an integrated pest management approach, using preventative strategies and control methods that are safe for your garden.
Understanding Ant Behavior
Ants are constantly foraging for food and nesting sites. A raised garden bed offers moisture, shelter and abundant food sources that ants find highly attractive Common ant species like the black garden ant, pavement ant, and pharaoh ant will readily invade raised beds Knowing ant behavior helps you prevent and control infestations
- Ants follow scent trails to food sources, so disrupting trails can reduce activity.
- Ants prefer damp, organic material for nesting and will burrow into garden soil and wood.
- Ants farm aphids for their honeydew secretions, protecting them from predators.
- Ants will vigorously defend the colony if the nest is disturbed.
Understanding ant preferences and habits allows you to target removal strategies effectively.
Preventing Ant Infestations
Preventing ant colonies from becoming established is the first line of defense:
- Eliminate food sources like fallen fruit or compost piles placed near the raised bed.
- Fix leaks from hoses or irrigation systems that create damp conditions.
- Fill cracks and holes in the bed walls where ants can enter.
- Keep the surrounding area free of debris that offers shelter.
- Grow ant-repelling plants like mint or tansy near possible ant entry points.
Ant prevention measures coupled with prompt control of early invaders will help avoid major infestations.
Physical and Mechanical Removal
Physical removal methods provide immediate relief by directly eliminating ants:
- Use a strong jet of water to wash away ants on surfaces.
- Hand pick visible ants and dispose of them in soapy water.
- Apply sticky tape around bed legs to trap foraging ants.
- Vacuum up ants along with debris, dead leaves and mulch that may harbor them.
Quick physical removal limits ant numbers before they can establish nesting sites. But this is only a temporary solution
Natural Repellents and Deterrents
Natural substances can repel ants or alter the environment to make it less hospitable:
- Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the bed perimeter and ant trails. The sharp dust scratches their exoskeletons causing dehydration.
- Use neem oil sprays on plants as an organic repellent. It interferes with ant scent trails and reproduction.
- Introduce beneficial nematodes to the soil, as they prey on ant larvae.
- Spread coffee grounds, crushed eggshells or peppermint leaves to obstruct trails and entry points.
- Grow strongly scented herbs like mint, tansy and thyme around the bed.
Natural remedies are environmentally safe and can be used alongside other methods.
Chemical Treatment Options
For heavy infestations, targeted application of chemical pesticides may be required:
- Boric acid: Low toxicity powder that kills ants on contact and is carried back to the colony.
- Insecticidal baits: Contain slow-acting toxins carried back to eradicate the entire colony. Highly effective but use with caution.
- Insect growth regulators: Disrupt the ant life cycle preventing larvae from reaching maturity. Reduce reinfestation over time.
- Contact insecticides: Broad-spectrum chemicals like pyrethroids kill ants on contact but have limited residual effect.
Always follow label directions and exercise extreme caution with chemical pesticides in garden settings.
Integrated Pest Management
The most effective approach combines several methods:
- Prevention: Eliminate attractants, seal entry points, grow repellent plants. Stop ants before they become a problem.
- Physical removal: Wash away, hand pick, apply barriers and traps. Rapidly reduce ant numbers.
- Natural deterrents: Repellent plants, diatomaceous earth, neem oil. Create an environment where ants struggle to survive.
- Chemical control: Baits, insecticides and growth regulators. Eradicate large infestations and destroy colonies.
Depending on the severity of your ant problem, implement a tailored combination of preventative, physical, natural and chemical controls as needed.
When to Seek Professional Help
In most cases, persistent home treatment will get rid of ants in raised garden beds. However, it may be advisable to call a pest control professional if:
- You are unable to identify the ant species. Proper identification ensures using the right removal methods.
- There is a massive ant colony with multiple satellite nests. This may require stronger chemicals applied by experts.
- Ants have damaged the structural integrity of the raised bed. Repairs may be needed.
- An ant colony persists despite your best removal efforts. Professionals have more tools at their disposal.
- Someone in your household is allergic to ant stings making DIY treatment risky.
Ant infestations seriously impact your ability to grow plants in raised beds. Following these comprehensive guidelines incorporating prevention, mechanical removal, natural deterrents and targeted chemical control will allow you to get rid of ants and reclaim your garden. Integrated pest management is key to sustainable, effective solutions. With diligence and patience, you can have an ant-free raised bed providing bountiful harvests.
How to get rid of ants indoors
Some gardeners use sprays, powders and even boiling water to get rid of ants. Remember that ants are part of the garden ecosystem and are a vital source of food for other species, such as birds and amphibians. Sprays and powders contain insecticides which can harm other insects, such as bees, and which also leach into the soil and can harm soil invertebrates such as earthworms.
Here are some kinder, non-toxic methods of deterring ants, without harming them or the environment:
1. Locate the source of infestation
If ants are coming into your home, the most important thing to do is find out why. Try to see where theyre travelling to or coming from, which should alert you to the presence of an available food source – be it an open bag of sugar or jar of jam with the lid not fixed on properly. Once you have found the food source, remove it, and the ants should return outside.
2. Use vinegar to remove ant trails
Teams of scout ants leave pheromones to alert other ants to the source of food. Simply sweeping the ants up wont stop more turning up – you need to remove the pheromone scents left behind. To do this, use a few sprays of white vinegar solution (one part vinegar to three parts water) and wipe with a damp cloth. This should destroy the pheromone trails and stop the ants in their tracks.
3. Deter ants with scented oils
To deter ants from your home, mix strongly scented peppermint or lavender oil with water and spray the mixture on to entry points like windowsills or door frames.
What do ants eat?
Ants eat small insects and other invertebrates and their eggs, as well as plant sap, fruit, and aphid honeydew. Some ants are attracted by sugar and may come into your home if theres an easily available food source.
Red ants (Myrmica) can sting, but for most people this is just a minor irritation. And red ants are less common in gardens. Other ants can bite, but rarely puncture the skin. You might feel an ant bite as a sharp pinch, which will stop when you brush the ant off your body.
Get Rid of Ants in the Garden NATURALLY
FAQ
How do you get rid of ants in raised beds?
Borax and sugar. Mix roughly 4 parts sugar and 1 part borax and add just enough water to turn it into a honey-like consistency. Put this in a small dish, place in or beside the ants, and make sure they can get in and out. They will eat/drink the solution, take it to the queen and boom, dead ants.
Why are there so many ants in my garden bed?
Oftentimes, you’ll find another destructive garden pest is also at work. Aphids and scale insects both feed on plants and then produce a sticky substance called honeydew that ants love to eat. Ants go as far as protecting aphids from predators, which would normally keep these pests in check.
How to get rid of ants in a planter box?
- #1 Cover the soil with diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring and environmentally friendly insecticide used for pest control. …
- #2 Submerge the plant. For a big pest problem, submerging the plant will often do the trick. …
- #3 Repot the plant.
How to get rid of ants in bed fast?
One thing that helps is using a peppermint oil spray around your bed and windows; ants hate the smell. Also, maybe put a fan by your bed to blow them away if they get close. Try listening to a calming podcast or some white noise to distract yourself.