Ants might be small , but when they invade your garden , their impact can be significant . From disrupting plant roots to protecting aphids ( a major plant pest ) , ants can be a real pain in the neck .

gratefully , you do n’t need harsh chemicals to keep them under ascendancy . With a niggling creativeness and some instinctive solution , you may domesticize your garden from these unwelcome guests . Here are 10 impertinent hacks to keep your garden free of ants and thriving .

1. Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth ( DE ) is a powerful , natural pith that ’s deathly to ants but completely safe for humans , pet , and plants . DE is made from fossilized alga that constitute flyspeck , razor - sharp atom , which dehydrate and kill emmet on contact . To apply it , just besprinkle a thin layer along ant trail , around flora bases , and near nest .

It ’s most effective when apply to juiceless areas , as wet bring down its potency . For better results , reapply after tearing or rain . I ’ve personally used DE in my veggie garden , and it worked wonders without affecting my plants or good insect like bees and butterfly .

2. Make a Vinegar Spray

Ants bank heavily on odor trail to voyage and commune with their colony , and vinegar is a outstanding direction to interrupt those trails . merge adequate parts water and blank acetum in a atomiser bottle , then practice it to ant trail , around plant life , and near nest entrances . The inviolable feeling masks the pheromones ants use to find their elbow room .

As an added bonus , vinegar can help dissuade other pests , like aphids . Just be conservative when spray near touchy plants , as the acidity in vinegar can harm certain coinage . I like to employ this method acting around the perimeter of my garden and on intemperate surfaces where ants be given to congregate .

3. Plant Herbs that Repel Ants

Certain herbs like mountain , basil , lavender , and rosemary are natural ant deterrents . These plants utter strong odour that emmet dislike , making them perfect companions for your garden . For example , planting flock around the edges of your garden beds can create a rude barrier against ant invasion .

I ’ve also had dandy winner with lavender near my veg garden — its fragrance not only keep ants aside but also attracts pollinators like bee . If you ’re short on space , these herbs can thrive in pile , allowing you to move them wherever you remark ant natural process .

4. Use Coffee Grounds to Block Trails

If you ’re a coffee tree drinker , do n’t project away those used coffee grounds — they’re an splendid , eco - friendly ant repellant . Sprinkle the grounds directly on ant trail , around the infrastructure of plant , or near nest entering . The odour of coffee confuses ants and disrupts their scent trails , effectively force them away .

Coffee ground also add N to your dirt , making them a double win for your garden . I ’ve find that even persistent ant settlement tend to steer cleared of areas treated with chocolate grounds , and my works seem to love the tote up nutrients .

5. Attract Natural Ant Predators

Instead of agitate ants alone , enlist the help of innate marauder like bird , batrachian , and lizard to insure their universe . Birds , in particular , are excellent at eating ants , so weigh bestow bird feeders , baths , or native plants to attract them .

Frogs thrive in shaded , moist areas , so create a humble water feature or providing moist hiding spots can encourage them to take up abidance . I added a small birdhouse and body of water dish to my backyard , and within weeks , I noticed a significant drop in ant activity as the local wildlife took over .

6. Sprinkle Cinnamon as a Natural Repellent

Cinnamon is more than just a spice for baking — it ’s also a extremely effective , natural ant handicap . Its potent smell interferes with ant ’ scent trails , make it difficult for them to navigate .

To habituate cinnamon , just sprinkle a generous amount along ant lead , around plants , or near nest curtain raising . I ’ve used cinnamon around the base of my tomato plant , and it worked like a charm . Plus , it ’s completely safe for kids and pets , so you do n’t have to interest about accidental exposure .

7. Boil Citrus Peels to Make a Spray

Ants ca n’t bear citrus fruit , and you could use this to your reward by hit a homemade citrus nebuliser . pile up orange , Citrus limon , or lime peels and boil them in water for 15 - 20 min . Once the mixture cools , sift it into a nebulizer bottle and apply it to ant trail , nests , and flora bases .

The natural oils in citrus peels act as a strong ant deterrent , and the spray reek awing . I love using this method acting because it ’s dependable , non - toxic , and a great way to repurpose kitchen scraps .

8. Deploy Sugar-Based Baits

If you ’re dealing with a austere ant infestation , sugar - based sweetener can help reduce their population over clock time . Mix sugar , water , and a small amount of borax to make a solution . Place it in shallow dishes near ant trail or nests .

The pismire will carry the bait back to their dependency , where it will eventually eliminate the entire nest . While this method is highly effective , be measured to keep borax out of orbit of pets and children , as it can be toxic if ingested .

9. Keep Your Garden Clean and Tidy

One of the simplest shipway to keep ant out of your garden is by eliminate their food for thought sources . Regularly remove fallen yield , bushed leaves , and other dust that ants are drawn to .

I ’ve made it a wont to clean up my garden weekly , specially during the growing time of year , and it has made a noticeable difference in abbreviate plague activity . A goodish garden not only await better but also discourage pismire from setting up store .

  • This article was created with the assistance of AI .