How to Get Ants out of Outdoor Potted Plants

Ants in your outdoor potted plants can be a real nuisance, not to mention potentially harmful to your plants. These pesky insects can make their homes in the soil of your potted plants, damaging the roots in the process. Fortunately, there are several ways to get ants out of your outdoor potted plants. In this guide, we’ll go over some effective methods for getting rid of ants and keeping them away from your plants for good.

Method 1: Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a natural, pesticide-free way to get rid of ants in your outdoor potted plants. It works by dehydrating the ants and can be found at most garden supply stores. Simply sprinkle a thin layer of diatomaceous earth on the soil of your plants and around the base of the pot. Repeat every few days until the ants are gone.

Method 2: Vinegar

Vinegar is another effective way to get rid of ants in your outdoor potted plants. Mix one part vinegar with one part water in a spray bottle and spray the solution on the soil and base of the plant. Be careful not to spray too much, as vinegar can harm your plants if used in excess. Repeat every few days until the ants are gone.

Method 3: Cinnamon

Cinnamon is another natural remedy for getting rid of ants in your potted plants. Simply sprinkle a thin layer of cinnamon powder on the soil and base of the plant. The cinnamon will not harm your plants, but it will repel the ants. Repeat every few days until the ants are gone.

Method 4: Ant Baits

If natural remedies don’t work, you can try using ant baits. These are available at most hardware and garden stores and are typically made with a sweet substance that the ants will be attracted to. Once they take the bait back to their nest, the bait will kill them off. Be sure to follow the instructions on the package carefully, as some baits may be harmful to pets or children.

Prevention Tips

Preventing ants from getting into your outdoor potted plants in the first place is the best way to avoid having to get rid of them later on. Here are some prevention tips to keep ants away:

Keep a clean outdoor space. Avoid leaving food scraps or dirty dishes outside, as they can attract ants.

Use a moat. Create a moat around your potted plant by filling a saucer with water and placing the pot on top of it. Ants won’t cross the water to get to the plant.

Use sticky barriers. Place a sticky barrier (such as petroleum jelly) around the base of the pot to keep ants from crawling up.

Re-pot your plant. If ants have made a nest in the soil of your plant, you may need to re-pot it in fresh soil to get rid of them.

By following these prevention tips and using one or more of the methods above, you can effectively get rid of ants in your outdoor potted plants and keep them away for good.