Meet the Expert
Why Are Ants in Your Potted Plants?
The most straightforward method is removing or changing your plants soil.
you might do this by taking your plant outside and eliminating all the dirt.
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Next, repot your plant using a fresh bag of potting soil.
Another method is encouraging the ants to leave your plant.
First, determine if your plant can go without water for many days.
Spray Natural Oils
Use natural oils around the plants base and soil.
Dont Overwater Your Plants
Overwatering can kill your plant, and it can attract ants.
Nesting ants are especially drawn to moist soil, Bossel says.
It’s important to avoid overwatering while making sure your soil drains well, Bossel explains.
Choose Soil Ants Dont Like
Ants prefer certain types of soil over others.
For example, most ants living in soil prefer very clayey soils, Liu says.
Hence, choosing soil that doesnt have clay in it can help you avoid ants.
However, this option is very dependent upon what kinds of plant varieties you have.
And its always more important to prioritize your plants health over averting ants.
Dont give your plants bad soil just in pursuit of preventing ants, Liu cautions.
Elevate Your Potted Plants
A simple solution is placing your plants out of reach.
Baldwin suggests incorporating these types ofcompanion plantsin your garden pots.
Keep Your Yard Tidy
check that outdoor spaces that boast potted plants are clean of garden debris.
Baldwin suggests removing dead leaves and decaying organic matter on a regular basis to deter ants.
Garbage is also a magnet for ants, he says, as its an easy food source for ants.
Do the same with your doorframes and exterior walls.
Removing the soil is the best way to avoid harming your plant.
It removes the ants and their eggs.
No, this is a myth, Liu says.
The best way to deter ants is any of the methods detailed above.
Ants dont like strong odors.
There are a few scents you could use to keep them off.
But these odors efficacy may vary and are unlikely to last for long periods.
