5 ways to get rid of ants in your garden without chemicals
What to treat the garden with against ants without chemicals (Photo: Magnific)
Ants in the garden only seem harmless. In reality, they can damage crops, carry aphids, and even stunt plant growth. Fortunately, you can get rid of unwanted insects without aggressive chemicals — using simple household remedies.
Styler has compiled effective folk methods for combating ants that will help protect your garden beds and orchard.
Why ants can be dangerous
Despite playing an important role in nature — aerating the soil, destroying some pests, and taking part in natural processes — ants often become a problem in the garden.
The greatest danger lies in the fact that ants "farm" aphids, feeding on their sweet secretions. As a result, aphid colonies rapidly spread to vegetables, fruit trees, and shrubs.
Moreover, large anthills near plant roots can hinder normal growth, and the ants themselves damage strawberries, carrots, pumpkins, flowers, and other crops.
Baking soda with sugar
Ordinary baking soda helps control ants due to its properties.
To prepare a bait, mix:
- ½ tablespoon of baking soda
- ½ tablespoon of powdered sugar
- about 2 tablespoons of water
Pour the mixture into small lids or flat containers and place them near ant trails and areas where the insects are most concentrated.
Boric acid
This method is considered one of the most effective. To prepare the solution, you will need:
- 5 g of boric acid
- 1 glass of hot water
- 2 tablespoons of honey or sugar
- about 1 more liter of water
If you have found an anthill, pour the solution over it in the evening when the insects return to the nest. If not, pour the mixture into small containers and leave them near the trails.
Important: boric acid should be used with caution, especially if there are small children or pets on the property.
Potassium permanganate solution
A solution of potassium permanganate also helps reduce the number of insects.
First, prepare a concentrated pink solution in 1 liter of water, then dilute it in about 10 liters of water. Use the resulting liquid to water anthills and areas where ants congregate.
Ammonia solution
Another popular method is an ammonia solution.
Dissolve approximately 10 ml of ammonia in 8–10 liters of water and water the soil around the beds. This solution helps repel ants and can also serve as an additional source of nitrogen for plants.
However, avoid using it too frequently so as not to harm the soil.
Vinegar
Ants dislike strong odors, so vinegar can also help.
For spraying plants, simply dilute 1 tablespoon of table vinegar in 1 liter of water. If using vinegar essence, it needs to be diluted much more — about 1 tablespoon per 10 liters of water.
The treatment can be repeated several times until the insects are gone.
What else will help get rid of ants
In addition to home remedies, it is worth eliminating the reasons ants settle on your plot:
- Regularly remove aphids from plants
- Clear away leftover sweet fruits and berries
- Prevent weed overgrowth
- Regularly loosen the soil around the beds
A comprehensive approach will help reduce the ant population for a long time and protect your future harvest without using aggressive chemical products.
