Ants are well-known for their resilient and social nature. They live in colonies containing thousands or millions of ants. In small numbers, some ant species are incredibly helpful to farmers by removing pests and parasites in the soil.
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However, some species, especially when assembled in large numbers, can be a greater nuisance than destructive insects.
Ants normally protect aphids, which generally damage crops. Aphids and other sap-feeding insects excrete honeydew as they feed on plant sap. Ants love to collect this sweet liquid. In the process, the ants protect the aphids from ladybugs and other predators. However, they'll also damage plants by disturbing soil around plant roots.
Find out some ways you can get rid of ants in the garden.
Boiling water is a top natural ant exterminator that's most effective. You simply need to locate the ants' nests and their entrances, then pour water inside through all the entrances. If you take this action repeatedly, the ants will die and another colony won't be established.
Dishwashing liquid offers a natural method of eliminating ants. This method works fast and has a high rate of success. Scientists say that the oil and dishwashing liquid soaks into the ants' skeletons, which suffocates them.
To get started, simply mix 1/2 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid and another 1/2 teaspoon of cooking oil with 1 quart of water. Pour the mixture in a spray bottle and spray where the ants' nest is located.
Boric acid can be an effective homemade insecticide. When mixed with sugar, boric acid becomes useful in trapping and killing pests.
Simply mix the boric acid powder with sugar in equal proportions and add water. Place small amounts of the solution near the ant nests. The ants will be attracted to the trap and take the killing chemical to their queens.
Due to their toxicity, ant poisons can negatively affect crops, soil, and other areas of your home or property if they are not used properly. Keep pets and children away from any treated areas to prevent contamination.
When applying this product outdoors, choose a calm day with no breeze as the wind can disperse the chemicals in the poison into unwanted areas of your garden.
Many supermarkets and garden centers sell ant poison in gel form. The gel works following the same principle as boric acid. It draws the ants to the sweetness of the gel and kills the ants when they feed on it.
The ants will take the poison to the queens, which will be exterminated when they eat it. The gel is also less of a risk for plants and gardens.
Although ants do not feed on plants, at times they chase away crucial micro-organisms that help plants to grow. However, if you find eliminating an ant colony to be difficult, contact a pest control expert for advice.
With some of these techniques presented above, you can combat the problem of ants in your garden.
Hello, I’m Laura Bennett. I love nature especially when it comes to flowers and different kinds of plants. I started a very small garden behind my house and I named it Humid Garden. So, I created this blog to provide aspiring and inspiring thoughts about gardening for gardeners and anyone who has the intention of keeping a garden.
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