how to get rid of ants in vegetable garden without killing plants (7 Effective Ways)

Gardening comes with challenges of its own. Most of us would be glad if there was a cheat sheet that came along with gardening especially when it comes to ants. These tiny creatures can be frustrating and sometimes everything you do seems to fail. In this article, we will aim at equipping you with tips and tricks on how to kill ants in vegetable gardens.

How to kill ants in vegetable garden? There are a number of ways to get rid of ants from your vegetable garden like using sprays made from citrus peels, dish soap, borax, cinnamon, baby powder and many more. There are also organic sprays available over the internet and in stores across the US that do a good job of getting rid of ants from your garden. 

How to kill ants in vegetable gardens

In order to understand how to get rid of ants in vegetable garden naturally, follow these simple steps 

Step-1: Identify ant colonies

To fix a problem it is important to get to the root of the problem. In the same manner, if you are looking for ways you get rid of ants it is not possible without getting to know where these ants are coming from.

For this try and locate the anthills in your vegetable garden. This will take time but is totally worth it. 

Step-2: Insecticide choice and application

Once you have a clear idea of the source it is also important to identify the type of ants. This plays a major role in the selection of insecticides.

When it comes to store-bought insecticides you have a number of options these include, liquid, granular baits, ant kill dust and even an agent to mix with your soil. 

Most insecticides start to show effect almost immediately. You will notice a drastic reduction in the number of ants strolling around in your garden. 

Note: reapplication will be necessary only if the ants return. 

Step-3: Prevention

Once you have gotten rid of ants, it is important to keep them at bay. There are a number of products available these days when it comes to prevention. You can go in for ant dust or other repellents that keep ants away from plants. 

Following these steps will help you get rid of ants from your vegetable garden without much hassle. 

How to get rid of ants in vegetable garden naturally

When it comes to pests in gardens, there are a number of ways to deal with them. This includes physical barriers or insecticides or ultrasonic devices. But when it comes to ants, they are a different ball game – they are too small for traps.

This means that you will need to use other methods to get rid of them. Here are a few ways how to get rid of ants in vegetable garden naturally.

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1# Getting rid of ants using boiling water

Pouring boiling water on ants is a viable solution only if the number is less. For one anthill you will require about 3 gallons of water. The process is simple all you need to do is boil water and pour it down the anthill. Sounds barbaric but it surely does the job. 

While doing this you need to be very careful and use protective gear. The second drawback when it comes to getting rid of ants by pouring boiling water down the anthill is that it is not a one-time elimination. You will have to repeat the process two to three time to get rid of all the ants in your garden. 

2# Getting rid of ants using dish soap

Dish soap is another item found in all homes that help get rid of ants. To use this on your plants all you need to do is dilute the dish soap. a one is to four ratio should work just fine. Once your solution is ready simply spray it over the plants. This will not only keep ants away but also repel other insects. 

This is not a permanent solution and the ants will be back once the soap is washed away. Most gardeners may contest that this is not the best method for your vegetable garden but you can use it as a one-time last resort method of getting rid of ants from your vegetable garden. 

3# Getting rid of ants using citrus spray

Ants are not fond of citrus. Making a citrus spray is extremely simple all you need to do is collect peels of oranges, lemons and other citrus fruits.

Once they are collected dry them and grind them. You can also grind wet peals. The ground mixture can then be mixed with water and sprayed on and around your vegetable plants. 

Citrus spray is effective on carpenter and garden ants. 

Note: you can use a mix of peals or only peals from specific citrus fruits both are equally effective. 

4# Getting rid of ants using dishwashing liquid and oil

Dishwash liquid is quite successful when it comes to getting rid of ants. When this is mixed with oil it soaks into the exoskeleton of the ants and suffocates them.

All you need to do is mix a spoon of dishwashing liquid with a spoon of oil and a quart of water. Put this in a spray bottle and spray it on and around the nest.

5# Getting rid of ants using cornmeal, borax, and honey

Cornmeal is an inexpensive way of getting rid of ants. It takes time to show effect but it surely works. To speed up the process add some borax – a household chemical compound found in all kinds of toothpaste or soap.

You can also purchase it from your local store. add a little honey to this mixture to attract ants. In most cases, the ants will carry the sticky mixture back to the nest and kill the queen as well. 

6# Getting rid of ants using cinnamon

Cinnamon might not be a cost-effective method to get rid of ants but it surely is effective. For this, all you need is ground cinnamon. Sprinkle it along the perimeter of your garden.

Cinnamon only repels ants and does not kill them. You can find deals for bulk bags that are not very expensive. 

Note: Be sure to add a thick layer.  

7# Getting rid of ants using baby powder

This may seem like a silly suggestion but in most cases is effective to repel ants. Ants hate the smell of baby powder and will leave your garden alone. Simply scatter baby powder on the soil or spray. 

You can alternatively use vinegar and pepper. 

These simple tricks on how to kill ants in vegetable gardens can be used in gardens of all sizes. You can also use them in your balcony and indoor gardens to repel and kill ants. Finally, are ants that bad? Yes, they damage crops but are also a gift when it comes to a healthy ecosystem. 

Are ants good for your vegetable garden?

Ants can be annoying and may feed on all your thin-skinned fruits and vegetables but are they only bad for your garden? The answer to this is no. as everything has a positive and negative, there are also advantages of having ants in your vegetable garden here are a few

• Ants help cultivate the soil: As we know ants dig up tunnels and move around under the garden surface. These tunnels actually help circulate air, water, and minerals required by the plant. 
• Unintentional pollinators: Ants move all over the garden and hence end up helping in the pollination process. So if you are having problems with pollination and can be of great help. 
• They fight other pests: Like most insects’ ants have their enemies as well some of which are harmful to your garden. When ants are around, they get rid of these insects and even eat their larvae and eggs. This keeps pests under control.  

You may like the following vegetable gardening articles:

• Best insecticide for vegetable garden
• How often to water vegetable garden in summer
• How to Remove Grass in a Vegetable Garden?

In conclusion

This article spoke about how to kill ants in vegetable gardens. There are a number of synthetic sprays available online and in stores across the US. But when it comes to vegetable gardens it is better to use something that is not only organic but also something that is safe for consumption. These tricks mentioned above are not only simple to use but also effective and safe. What are you waiting for? give them a try today.

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