Ants! They are pretty pesky insects and some can be actually dangerous. If you’ve ever seen the movie Antz, you’ll understand how terrible they can be. In your house or backyard, ants can pose a real risk for your home and family although killing or destroying them is never easy. However, there are numerous ways of getting rid of ants , so that your home can be ant-free again. Here, I will go through some of the best methods of killing ants without damaging them in any way – because who wants to kill plants (unless they are really really bad) right?Ants can be a real nuisance when they invade your plants and start taking up residence in the soil. If you want to get rid of ants without killing all the plant life around, you’re in luck. Here are some techniques that won’t hurt your plants and will remove the ants, too. How to kill ants without killing plants… well, when you discover your potted plant is infested with ants you probably want to kill them and ensure that they never come back. With a little trial and error, I’ve stumbled upon the methods that actually work to get rid of ants without harming the plant itself.
How To Kill Ants Without Killing Plants
Ant Control In The Garden
Ant control in the garden can be a problem for gardeners. There are many different types of ants, and they can be a problem for your garden. If you have an ant problem, here are some tips to get rid of them:
- Use diatomaceous earth to keep ants out of your plants or at least make it harder for them to get inside (see above).
- Spray plants with essential oils like peppermint oil or citronella oil that repel insects like ants (see above).
- Use borax and sugar water solution as bait for trap baits (see below).
Step 1: Look For Nest Outside House
- First, you should look for the nest outside of your home. This is the best way to kill ants without damaging plants in your garden.
- To find the nest:
- Inspect all areas where ants might be living or traveling through, including:
- The ground
- Walls and windowsills
- Trees and shrubs (especially if they are near your home)
- Bushes and other plants
Step 2: Use A Homemade Natural Ant Killer Solution
You can also use a homemade natural ant killer solution. To do this, mix borax and sugar in a bowl. Add a few drops of water to the mixture and stir until you have a paste that is thick but not too thick. Spread the paste on the ant trail or around areas where there are ants. Leave for several hours and then remove any dead bodies with a spoon, sweeping them away from your plants so they don’t come into contact with them.
Step 3: Use Essential Oils To Keep Ants Away
Once you’ve identified the ants in your house, it’s time to kill them. Most people don’t want their house crawling with ants, so this is where things get a little tricky. Most ant killers come in the form of powders or sprays that are very harmful to plants and other living organisms. However, there are a few ways to kill ants without harming your home or garden.
To keep ants out of a particular area of your home (such as under your sink), place a few drops of essential oil on cotton balls and place them at every entrance point leading inside the building. You can also use this method if you have an ant infestation in one particular room—just add some essential oils to water in a spray bottle, then spray around areas where you see activity. This tip works especially well in kitchens because most kitchens have several entrances and exits through which ants can enter!
Step 4: Make Traps For Ants With Borax Powder
You can also make traps for ants with borax powder. Borax is a natural pesticide, which means it kills the insects by dehydrating them. It’s safe to use around plants and works well as an ant killer. To make a trap for ants with borax:
- Place the borax on top of the jelly so that the edges are raised up above it. This will make it look like they’re drowning in it!
- Put some on a plate and leave that near your problem area where you have seen them coming in or going out repeatedly (this will help attract more ants).
By doing this, you’ll be able to kill off quite a few ants at once without having to use poisons or chemicals around your house or garden!
Step 5: Household Remedies For Killing Indoor Ants
- Mix a solution of equal parts water, sugar, and vinegar in a bowl or jar and place near where you’ve seen ants.
- The ants will eat the mixture and die shortly thereafter.
- This mixture is safe for pets and children, but should not be consumed in large amounts, as it could lead to excessive vomiting or diarrhea (which can be serious).
- If you want your ant traps to last longer than one day, place them inside an empty glass soda bottle or jar with a little bit of water at the bottom so they don’t dry out too quickly! This is also important because this step-by-step guide was made using supplies found around my kitchen at home (aka: saving money!).
Step 6: Kill Carpenter Ants With A Homemade Bait And Trap Recipe
The next step to kill ant colonies without killing plants is to set out a homemade bait and trap. It’s important to note that this method will only work if you have carpenter ants in your home. If you don’t know how to identify them, get help from an expert or do some research online before trying the following method:
- Mix 1/4 cup borax with 1/4 cup sugar in a plastic container. You can use any plastic container, but make sure it has a lid so that rain won’t ruin your mix. The best containers are ones with lids that snap on tightly and won’t fall off when carried around outside, like a yogurt tub or butter container.
- Add just enough water so that all of the ingredients are wetted (not drenched) and stir until it forms one cohesive paste-like substance.
- Add one drop of vanilla extract (optional) and stir again until well blended together into one homogenous mixture (if desired).
- Attracts & Kills – Kills common household ants including acrobat, crazy, ghost, little black, odorous house, pavement, and other sweet-eating ants
- Kills the Ants You See & the Ones You Don’t – As worker ants discover the bait, they share it with the rest of the colony to eliminate them all
- Works Fast – You should see a significant decrease in the number of ants visiting the bait stations within just a few days
- Ready to Use – Place the bait stations, watch it attract ants, and eliminate the entire colony
- Use Throughout Your Home – Place stations near areas where you’ve seen ant activity including along baseboards, in corners, on counters, and more
Additional Info :
Item Dimensions | |
Height | 4.5 Inches |
Width | 6.6 Inches |
Length | 1.2 Inches |
Weight | 0.27 Pounds |
- Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Indoor & Perimeter2 with Comfort Wand kills ants, cockroaches, spiders, fleas, ticks and other listed bugs; the formula is odor free, won’t stain, and keeps listed bugs out
- KILLS BUGS INSIDE: Kills those annoying home-invading insects, including ants, cockroaches, spiders, fleas, ticks, scorpions, beetles, silverfish, centipedes and millipedes
- KEEPS BUGS OUTSIDE: Creates a bug barrier that will kill bugs you have and prevents new bugs for up to 12 months (applies to ants, roaches and spiders indoors on non-porous surfaces)
- NO STAINING OR STINK: This spray can be used indoors and out, leaves no residue, and has no odor; people and pets may re-enter treated areas after spray has dried
- WAND MAKES APPLICATION EASY: The Comfort Wand eliminates hand fatigue, and there’s no pumping required, making it easy to spray along your home’s perimeter–indoors and outside
Additional Info :
Color | White |
Item Dimensions | |
Height | 4.88 Inches |
Width | 12 Inches |
Length | 8.95 Inches |
Weight | 0.73 Pounds |
- KILLS & REPELS. A flea and tick preventative and a treatment, this pest-repellent spray is powered by natural essential oils and protects your pets and family.
- SPRAY & PLAY! Safe for cats, dogs and people of all ages, with no wait time for drying or reentry into sprayed areas and environments. Just attach directly to a garden hose, spray your backyard, and enjoy. Keep the bottle & Refill the sprayer with our Flea and Tick Spray Concentrate!
- TREATS UP TO 5,000 SQUARE FEET. Can be safely used on lawns, gardens, grass, patios, dog kennels, vegetables, flowers, siding, brick, paint and more. Treat an existing pest infestation or for prevention. Application coverage depends on water pressure and walking speed.
- NO HARSH CHEMICALS. No artificial colors, fragrances or harsh pesticides. Made in the USA from powerful, sustainable, plant-based ingredients. Safe when sprayed outdoors around pets, kids, and beneficial insects like bees and butterflies. Cruelty-Free and biodegradable. Keep the bottle & Refill the sprayer with our Flea and Tick Spray Concentrate!
- POWERFULLY EFFECTIVE WITH THE PUREST, NATURAL ESSENTIAL OILS. Powered by cedar oil, Wondercide is safe pest protection that’s proven to work, especially for flea, tick, and mosquito removal. Packaging May Vary.
Additional Info :
Item Dimensions | |
Width | 6.2 |
Length | 2.3 |
- Safe
- Extra Concentrated for Long-Lasting Protection
- Natural Ingredients Proven Effective in the Real World
- Large 16oz Bottle
- Powerful Essential Oil
Additional Info :
Item Dimensions | |
Weight | 1 Pounds |
- Kills the ants you see and the ants you don’t
- Pre filled bait stations are ready to use
- Contains borax
- Flexible placement: in the ground using the stakes or on decks, or in garages or basements without using the stakes
- Patented station protects the bait from the elements, prevents it from drying out
Additional Info :
Color | Clear |
Item Dimensions | |
Height | 8 Inches |
Width | 5.18 Inches |
Length | 5.18 Inches |
Weight | 0.667 Pounds |