Protect Your Veg: How to Get Rid of Ants in the Garden

It’s eviction time for aphids. We’ll show you how to get rid of ants in the garden and protect your vegetable harvest.

A few ants scurrying across your garden is okay, but if you notice an ant colony is forming, you must take action. Ants can be detrimental to your yard, which is a significant concern, especially if you’ve been showering your harvest with TLC for months. 

Not sure how to get rid of ants in the garden? Read on to find out how.

Why Ants are Bad News for Your Garden?

First, why are ants in the garden bad?

Ants Cause Pain and Property Damage

A particular species of ants to worry about are fire ants. Unlike common ants, these guys sting when provoked leaving you with nasty welts that can last for a few days. 

Carpenter ants also bite, so the last thing you want is a colony of these in your garden. The worst part is they build their homes in wood, so your house could be at risk of hosting a few unwanted guests.

Ants Increase Your Pest Population

Ants harvest aphids, an insect that produces honeydew, which could be a problem for your garden. The ants transport the honeydew to the queen and colony to share the goods. And the worst part is that aphids are disastrous for your plants too as they suck out all the nutrients. So, it is best to kill their protectors, ants, to prevent further damage.  

Natural Ways to Get Rid of Ants

To keep your plants safe as you remove ants, you may consider DIY options. Here is how to get rid of ants in the garden naturally.  

Pour Boiling Water On the Anthill 

Locate as many entrances to the nest as possible and pour boiling water inside. Remember that ants build their homes to withstand the elements so it may take several attempts to wipe out the colony. 

Dish Washing Liquid and Oil 

If you want to kill ants in the garden, grab dishwashing liquid and cooking oil. The mixture will soak into the ants’ exoskeletons and suffocate them. First, mix half a teaspoon of liquid dish soap and one and a half teaspoons of cooking oil with 1 quart of water. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle to kill the ants outside the nest and pour the rest into the nest.

Set a Borax and Sugar Poison Trap

This is the most effective home remedy for getting rid of ants in garden soil. You must, however, use borax carefully as it is toxic to humans and animals. Mix boric acid with sugar until it’s a paste and place small amounts of the paste around the ant nest’s entrance.

Ants have an infamous sweet-tooth so they will be drawn to the paste and carry the rest back to the nest for the queen. Eventually, they will all die because of boric acid.

Professional Methods

If you need something stronger to tackle ants in a vegetable garden bed, try these methods:

Ant killer gel

Most garden centers sell ant poison, which comes as a gel, and works like boric acid and sugar, as the ants carry the gel to the queen. Even though it is poisonous to ants, ant killer gel won’t harm you or your garden.

Call Pest Control

If none of the above work, call in the big guns. A pest control professional will take care of the invasion and prevent any ants from returning. 

Now You Know How to Get Rid of Ants in the Garden, Which Method Will You Choose?

How to get rid of ants in the garden? These methods will solve any ant infestation, from calling the professionals to creating your own natural solution. Good luck!

If you’re hoping to flex your DIY muscles, look no further. Check out our blog for more useful DIY tips.