Although ants are a nuisance, they do not actually cause any harm to potted plants. Ants are attracted to the sweet honeydew-esque excretions left by other pests that reside in the soil, such as aphids and mealybugs; fire ants like to make nests in potted plants and hide in the plants’ foliage.
Moreover, how do I keep ants out of my potted plants?
Beside above, how do I protect my plants from ants?
How to Control Ants in Your Garden
- Get rid of aphids and other sap-sucking pests. …
- Distribute artificial sweetener near the ants. …
- Sprinkle ground cinnamon or cayenne pepper around your plants. …
- Place food-grade diatomaceous earth by trails and nests. …
- Set a borax (or boric acid) and sugar poison trap.
Can ants live in houseplants?
Ants are a fairly common indoor pest, and keeping house plants can provide them with places to build nests inside. If you have potted plants, it’s possible for ants to form colonies near their roots, and this is a problem for your plant.
How do I get rid of ants in my garden without killing my plants?
Dawn is a dish washing agent that can be used to kill ants without harming the grass. Mix two teaspoons of Dawn with four tablespoons of baking soda and one gallon of water. This won’t hurt the grass and other plants in your yard but is very deadly to pesky ants.
Do ants hurt plants?
Aside from their tendency to bite us, ants can cause other problems in the garden. … A diligent group of ants chewing on a plant’s stem or trunk is capable of girdling and even killing a garden plant. In addition, ants will cultivate and protect other damaging garden pests.
Is Cinnamon a good ant repellent?
Cinnamon is a great option for killing ants. When an ant inhales cinnamon, it suffocates and dies. … Cinnamon essential oil also works well to repel ants. Mix a few drops of cinnamon oil with water and spray on ant trails, around doors, windows and cracks.
