How to Get Rid of Ants in The Garden

Ants are small but mighty. Estimates say there are more than 20 quadrillion of them on the planet! This means there are approximately two and a half million ants for every human on Earth. They outnumber us because of their size, efficiency, and colony-forming habits.

Though they may seem like a nuisance in the garden, these bugs are beneficial insects and an important part of a healthy ecosystem. They sometimes create problems, like when they farm aphids, but they’re generally good for the environment!

Ants aerate the soil, disperse seeds, and recycle organic matter. They’re like the garden’s cleanup crew. They scour the soil for food, shelter, and water. Eradicate them now, and they’ll inevitably return, so it may be better to learn how to live with them than to get rid of garden ants.

Types of Ants

There are many different ant species. Some are common in cities, while others prefer living in forests, mountains, and deserts. Odorous house ants, or sugar ants, are the most common indoors, though there are many other types that invade homes and gardens.

The worst an ant will do is contaminate your food. Large colonies can escape the garden and enter your home, where they’ll search for sugar, protein, and shelter. These are a problem, as they’ll invade pet food, honey jars, and dirty dishes.

Other species are more common outdoors. You’ll find carpenter, fire, and pavement ants depending on the garden’s setup. Some types are native to the U.S., while others are non-native species that migrated to the U.S. and naturalized. 

What Ants Do for the Garden

Like other insects, ants play multiple roles in the garden. Some form underground colonies with vast networks of tunnels. These tunnels allow more air and water to travel to plant roots, which helps them stand tall despite harsh weather and high heat. 

These insects also recycle organic matter. Like worms and beetles, they’re an essential part of the garden’s decomposition team. After killing slugs or other pests, leave them in the garden. You’ll notice these ants picking them up and moving them in pieces back to their nests. 

Additionally, these bugs disperse seeds! Some plants, like wild ginger, rely on them for seed dispersal. Their seeds have fatty reserves that the insects eat. Once they’re done eating the fats, they leave the seeds to sprout throughout the garden.

How to Live with Ants

Living with ants is an easy thing to do. Just let them do their thing! They’ll recycle nutrients, aerate the soil, and disperse seeds. Leave them be for a flourishing, thriving garden during the growing season.

Because these bugs are smart and they work together, they can do some surprising things. They farm aphids! Aphids secrete sugars from their bodies, which the insects love to lap up. They’ll move aphids onto plants and cultivate them so they spread in the garden.

Most of the time, these insects are harmless outdoors. Killing them may do more harm than good! Pesticides can harm other beneficial insects. And, after you get rid of garden ants, you’ll leave empty space in the garden that pests can come into. 

How to Get Rid of Garden Ants

If these bugs are farming aphids and taking over your plants, here are some easy ways to get rid of garden ants. Choose targeted solutions over broad-spectrum insecticides to minimize harm to nearby wildlife. And remember, even the most “permanent” solution is temporary. The insects will come back! 

Bait

Baits are a common way to deal with sugar ants, the type that invades your kitchen. Baits containing borax, like those from TERRO^® and other companies, are efficient killers. Unlike traps, baits lure these insects with sugary food. Inside the food is borax, which prevents the bugs from processing water and food.

The borax slowly interferes with the ants’ digestive systems, allowing them to return to the nest. Once they return, they share the bait with others and spread it throughout the colony. The borax eventually reaches the queen, who consumes the bait and dies shortly after.

Other baits work in similar ways, though borax baits are the most common. Technically, they are insecticides, yet they’re not as harmful as sprays and dusts that indiscriminately target many insects. These baits are specific in their targeting, and they’re set up in a way that allows ants to enter while keeping other bugs out.

Spray

Sprays are different from baits. They tend to kill whatever they come into contact with, and they’re much more indiscriminate in their effects. They’re also instantaneous, harming the bugs on contact. 

Sprays are not recommended for outdoor use. They may persist on the ground, and they may run off with water into new areas you don’t intend them to. They’re also harmful indoors, as their fumes aren’t pleasant to inhale. 

If you choose to use sprays, pick ones that target ant species specifically. Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides so you don’t harm your garden’s ecosystem. Find a product in a bottle, or mix the solution yourself and put it into a handheld pump sprayer. 

Prevent Ant Infestations

Rather than dealing with these bugs after they’ve arrived, you can create hostile garden conditions so they stay away. Destroy their aphid farms, seal your house, and water the garden consistently to keep them at bay.

Remove Aphids

Aphids are pesky, but aphids and ants together are incredibly damaging! The bugs help the aphids spread to all your crops. To remove them, spray them off daily with a hose. Use strong streams of water to knock them off.

With daily spraying, the insects should disappear over time. It’ll take a week or two of continuous spraying to dislodge them from your crops.

Seal Entrances Indoors

These bugs are nuisances outdoors, but they’re particularly annoying indoors! Keeping them out of the house is more important than keeping them out of the garden. They invade cabinets, pantries, and sugary goods. 

Look at your home’s exterior to find holes and crevices. Plug them with putty, and close your windows that are near ant nests. 

Don’t Let Potted Plants Dry Out

Have you ever watered your houseplants and watched as hundreds of ants pour out of the pots? This is more common than you’d think! Ant species love the dry soil in potted plants, and they set up their homes inside them.

Consistent watering will prevent the insects from creating nests in your houseplants. Use your finger to test the moisture levels in the pots, and water well when it feels dry underneath. Add water with a hose, watering can, or irrigation system. 

Frequently Asked Questions