Ants in and around your houseplants are usually there looking for sweet honeydew left by other insects in your houseplants. Although they don’t hurt the plants, it is still good to know what’s attracting them and how to fix the problem.
What causes ants on your houseplants?
Many ants typically nest outdoors, but will come inside your house in search of food. The food residue in an untidy kitchen is one of the many reasons why ants end up on your houseplants. They do not feed on the houseplants, but how do they end up on your plants? There are usually two common reasons why. One may be when you brought one of your potted plants from outside with ants that had nested in the soil of the plant. Or they could be attracted by the honeydew created by other pests on your plants, like aphids, mealybugs and whiteflies. Honeydew is a popular food source for ants. There are, however, simple ways you can get rid of ants on your houseplants.
How to get rid of ants on your houseplants
They may not feed on or damage your houseplants, but they don’t look nice on your plants. There are kinder, sometimes non-toxic methods of deterring ants from your houseplants.
Locate the source of infestation
If ants are coming into your home, try to see where they’re travelling to or coming from, which should alert you. Once you have found the part, it is time to bait them. Watch the ants as they move before placing traps. Set baits along the trails they follow and in the areas where you suspect their nest to be.
Use insecticidal soaps
You can also treat the problem right on the plant directly. Sink the potted container in a solution of insecticidal soap so that the surface of the houseplant’s soil is submerged. Let it soak for a few minutes to kill ants in the soil. Remove the dead ants from the leaves and soil by hand.
DIY soap spray
You can also try a DIY soap spray with dilutions that work for you and your houseplants. Spray the plant and soil surface to kill ants. This might not be enough for heavy infestations, but if you see the spray option isn’t working, try the soaking method.
Deter ants with scented oils
To deter ants from your houseplants, use strongly scented oils with water and spray mixtures. Use the scents on entry points like windowsills or door frames and around your potted plants. Ants don’t like scents, and spraying the scents on the soil and leaves of your houseplants will keep them away.
First published by Garden & Home
Compiled by Chumasande Matiwane
Also see: Essential tips for keeping your plants healthy while you’re away
