In fact, there are some benefits to garden ants.

Still, many people still consider ants unwelcome in the garden.

And there are other reasons why you might prefer an ant-free garden.

But before bringing out toxic chemicals, consider whether the problems posed by ants outweigh the benefits.

A struggling plant is sometimes blamed on the ants covering, but they are usually a secondary guilty party.

Look closely and you’ll probably see lots of aphids.

Ants can also ruin the aesthetic of cut flowerssuch as an otherwise perfect spring bouquet of peonies.

So there are some legitimate reasons why you might want to get rid of these otherwise harmless insects.

Before you do though, consider the benefits.

Just as they are attracted to sweets, certain smells repel them.

Experiment with cotton balls soaked inant-repelling essential oils.

Ants detest mint, camphor, tansy, and clove oil.

Faced with this odor, ants are likely to vacate the area.

This homemade remedy also works as a preventive repellant.

Be careful with using borax or boric acid where pets or wild animals can access it.

These substances are mildly toxic to animals.

Borax will also kill spiders, but it doesn’t harm most beneficial insects.

Avoid traditional spray pesticides unless you might carefully target the ant colony.

Mix a 50-50 concoction of powdered sugar and baking soda and place it near the ant colony.

Peonies, in particular, seem to attract ants just as buds turn to blossoms.

you could use sticky traps to prevent ants from ascending the plant of concern.

Tip

There are two ways to deal with ants on peonies.

If you cut the flowers in a bud, refrigerate them immediately.

Ants are purposeful creatures, not given to leisurely gatherings.

Look closely, and use a magnifying glass if necessary.

You will probably discover an infestation of aphids.

The ants are enjoying the sweet honeydew excreted by the aphids.

In exchange for this nourishment, the ants protect the aphids from their enemies, attacking suchbeneficial insectsas ladybugs.

You must treat the plant-damaging aphids first; the ants will then seek food elsewhere.

Treat Fire Ants as an Emergency

Fire ants deserve less of the flower gardeners tolerance and sympathy.

If you have any fire ant mounds on your property, you must destroy them.

Cover the mound with a container, and pour boiling water around the container.

What Causes Ants in the Garden?

Sometimes the very things we use to care for our gardens have the unfortunate side effect of drawing ants.

To discourage ants, maintain a hot compost pile, using the proper ratio of green and brown ingredients.

An elevated compost tumbler can also prevent ant infestations.

The oil is toxic to ants, and its smell destroys their scent trails and often sends them away.

Even a simple 50-50 mixture of lemon juice and water will likely repel ants.

Keeping the ground fairly clean of fallen flowers and other debris will also eliminate the habitat that favors ants.

As with all ant species, garden ants in the reproductive stage are flying insects.

The common black garden ant usually takes wing to mate in the fall.

The bite can be momentarily painful, but usually simply leads to an itch.

Some fragrant herbs tend to repel ants.

Mint, lavender, and rosemary are among the plants known to keep ants away.

Plant some of these in your garden and ants are less likely to be a problem.

Aphids.Entomology at the University of Kentucky.

How to control invasive pests while protecting pollinators and other beneficial insects.Michigan State University.