Ants in your garden soil are quite troubling and almost every gardener has to deal with such an issue. Ants are a common pest that thrives in warm, humid environments. Ant colonies tend to be more active during the summer months, and if you have plants in your garden, there’s a good chance you’ll see ants sampling their leaves. Ants don’t pose any real threat to gardens as long as they are kept at a manageable level. Ants typically live in an underground colony called an ant hill.
While most people think of red ants when they think of ants, any species that lives in colonies is considered an ant. There are thousands of types of ants found throughout the world. Some nest above ground, while others prefer to reside underground. The primary concern with garden-dwelling ants is their presence reducing the growth potential of your plants through eating their roots or stealing their moisture and nutrients (known as harvester ants). If left untreated. ants in your garden soil can affect your yield.
Identifying the type of ant you’re dealing with in the Garden Soil
While thousands of different types of ants are found worldwide, you will only likely encounter a few of them in your garden. Red ants, black ants, carpenter ants, and harvester ants are the most common.
Following are some commonly known types of ants that may ruin your garden soil.
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- Red Ants – These ants have a reddish brown color and are the most common ant found in gardens. They are attracted to sweets and sodium, particularly high-sodium vegetables and plants. Red ants are known to be aggressive and will sting if they feel threatened and commonly nest in the ground. They typically feed on plants by sucking the juices from their leaves.
- Black Ants – Small black ants are commonly seen in and around gardens. They feed on small insects, honeydew (a sugary secretion produced by aphids), and decaying plant material. They are a minor threat to plants but can be serious pests on indoor plants and in compost piles.
- Carpenter Ants – These ants are black, with a somewhat reddish or yellowish color on their heads. They are attracted to wood and wood-based mulch and can pose a serious threat to wooden structures, trees, and gardens if left unchecked.
- Harvester Ants – These ants are reddish-brown, and can be found in gardens. They feed on seeds and grain and can be a serious threat to gardens, particularly to mature plants.
Natural Ant Repellents to Avoid Ants in Your Garden Soil
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- Cayenne Pepper – Sprinkling cayenne pepper around the garden is a tried-and-true method of repelling ants. Be careful not to get it on your plants, as it is also a natural insecticide.
- Citrus Oil – A citrus oil spray can be used as a plant spray to repel ants. You can make your own or purchase a commercial spray.
- Coffee Grounds – Sprinkle coffee grounds around the base of plants to repel ants. Coffee grounds are also helpful in repelling slugs and snails.
- Cornmeal – Sprinkle cornmeal around the base of plants to repel ants. You can also mix it with water and make a paste to apply to the trunks of trees.
- Peppermint Oil – Peppermint oil is a natural herbicide that repels many plant-eating pests, including ants. It also repels mosquitoes.
- Soap Water – Ants don’t like the feeling of being sticky, so spraying them with a soap and water solution will drive them away.
Other Ways to Get Rid of Ants in Your Garden Soil
Boric Acid
Boric acid is considered one of the best ways to kill ants in your garden soil. It can also be used inside to kill ants in the house. Boric acid is toxic to humans and other mammals, so be careful when using it. It is very effective when used as bait to lure and kill ants. Place some in small containers with holes in the top and place them near the ant hills. Be careful not to get it on your plants, as it is also a natural insecticide.
Cedar Oil
Cedar oil is an effective repellent for ants in your garden soil and other pests around the leaves of your crops. Spray it on the plants to keep ants away. You can purchase cedar oil at most garden supply stores.
Dry Coated Beans
Dry-coated beans are one of the oldest repellents for ants in your garden soil. The beans are coated in a toxin that ants don’t like. Ants will carry the beans back to their nest and feed them to the larvae. The larvae die, and the rest of the ants leave your garden alone.
Dry coated beans need to be applied carefully. If you simply sprinkle them around your garden, you will end up killing your plants as well. You need to attach the beans to something that the ants will bring back to the nest. Some gardeners use an old piece of cloth, while others use a barrier spray.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a natural repellent that kills ants by dehydrating them. It is a substance made up of fossilized remains of tiny aquatic organisms called diatoms. DE repels ants by clogging their exoskeletons with the sharp particles, causing them to dry out.
While DE is a natural product, it is also very effective and easy to apply. Simply sprinkle it around the base of the plants and the ant hills to get rid of ants in your garden soil. Be careful not to get it on your plants.
Hot Pepper Flakes
To avoid ants in your garden soil hot pepper flakes are another great remedy. Sprinkle them around the base of the plants to repel ants. Be careful not to get it on your plants, as it is also a natural insecticide.
Lavender and Peppermint Essential Oils
Essential oils such as lavender and peppermint are natural repellents that ants don’t like. You can mix them in water and spray the plants with the mixture to keep the ants away.
You can also use the essential oils in a homemade bug spray to repel a variety of garden pests, including ants in your garden soil. The recipe is very simple and can be used on both plants and the skin. Simply mix 1/2 cup of witch hazel with 20 drops each of peppermint and lavender essential oil. Spray the plants with this mixture, and gently rub it onto the skin.
Conclusion
There are many ways to get rid of ants in your garden soil. However, not all solutions are created equal and some solutions can even be harmful to your plants. We hope you enjoyed our blog about 10 ways to get rid of ants in your garden soil. Thank you for reading, we are always excited when one of our posts can provide useful information on a topic like this!