Thus far, we have offered gardeners humane strategies for controlling rabbits, cats, and squirrels in their vegetable plots. Approaches to resolve the issues ranged from ultrasonic devices to physical barriers. However, ant infestations fall under a different category of concern.
Since common garden ants are too small to be contained by fences and too plentiful to be relocated, we will assist you using non-toxic methods other gardeners have successfully employed to solve this problem.
If you can see the visible hills or mounds of ant colonies and nests, slowly pouring boiling water over them for several consecutive days is a great way to reduce or completely eliminate such nests. If you cannot visually locate these hills.
Ground cinnamon
Even though still relatively expensive, utilizing ground cinnamon sprinkled around the edges of gardens or surfaces will act as a repellent for ants without killing them. Form thick lines that must be climbed over and you can watch black garden ants and red ants refuse to do so.
If pesky compost pile ants bother homeowners, ground cinnamon can lessen their numbers. Scouting for deals can yield 1 lb bulk bags at low prices.
Diatomaceous earth
This substance is the result of pulverized diatoms’ shells leading to fine powders, which leads to incredibly sharp edges capable of penetrating an ant’s body. This causes structural damage resulting in death by dehydration within two weeks.
Though extremely lethally for insects, diatomaceous earth poses no threat to human beings or family pets. While using it on vegetable gardens make sure that you only use 100% food grade diatomaceous earth. Prices are good on amazon.com where you can find 5 lb bags priced reasonably low.
Mixture of cornmeal, borax, and honey
To an extent cornmeal can help control the population of some small pests but it is much more effective when used in conjunction with other methods. In addition, unlike many pesticides, cornmeal does not pose any danger to your vegetable crops.
A faster-acting homemade remedy combines borax (commonly found in toothpaste or bar soap) and cornmeal. Borax has a highly toxic effect on ants and additional outer exposure also kills them.
Honey sweetens the taste to cover the harshness of Borax while introducing a flavorants loved by ants will aid in its consumption. As such I recommend placing the paste directly into the denser mixing bowls filled with ants so they don’t have to be led there.
Controlled outcomes dictates that worker ants will transport all residues taken from feeders back to the structure leading to death of their royalty: queen and subsequent populace extinction. You can acquire borate and corn separately here.
Use beneficial nematodes
In garden settings, these worms are effective against pests such as ants, beetles moths, flies, and fleas. You may wonder how one tiny worm can accomplish so much: These small beneficial creatures have to ability to enter into host organisms and release bacteria from their bodily systems that is deadly within 1-2 days.
Nonetheless, there are limitations to how yard soil can be treated with nematodes since they can only be used within a temperature range of 42 -90 degrees Fahrenheit. Furthermore, air temperature also needs to meet a minimum of 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Nematodes are Available from local nurseries as well as online stores which you visit here.
Orange guard
If you’re looking to control a colony of ants within your home, using Orange Guard can help you achieve that goal. Orange Guard is a liquid spray that effectively repels ants naturally and does not contain any toxic chemicals. Its composition mainly includes d-Limonene, which is orange peel extract.
This product is safe for garden soil and the environment as it is EPA registered. Since all ingredients are food grade, it will also not harm crops.
Most consumers have confirmed its effectiveness and over all satisfaction with this product (32 oz). Although they reported positive results regarding ant infestations, considering d-Limonene’s orange oil content, one reviewer cautioned pet owners wouldn’t want their feline friends exposed to essential oils.
Provide strategically placed trap or repellent crops
SScented marigolds are known to repel ants, though there have been some reports of gardeners noticing the opposite. Regardless, it appears that either way ants will not bother your vegetable crops.
Some other plants classified as ant repellents include: artemisia, catnip, pachypodiums, adeniums, optunias, chrysanthemums, garlic, spearmint/peppermint, and tansy. Such plants can be interplanted in the garden to aid in reducing crop loss caused by ants.