Ants in the garden can seem harmless—or even helpful—as they go about their industrious routines. However, when you notice your favorite plants looking chewed up or wilted, ants can start to be a problem.
If you’ve been wondering why ants are targeting your plants or how to keep them at bay, in this article, we’ll explore why ants are drawn to your plants, the signs of damage they can cause, and effective methods to protect your garden by a pest control expert.
Let’s get to the root of how to save your plants from ants.
Why Are Ants Eating My Plants?
Ants are a common garden pest that can cause significant damage to plants. They’re attracted to plants for a variety of reasons, including:
- Sweet Exudates: Many plants produce sweet sap or honeydew, which ants love to consume.
- Aphid Farming: Ants form a symbiotic relationship with aphids, protecting them in exchange for the sweet honeydew they produce.
- Nesting Opportunities: Some ants may nest in the soil around plants, especially those with hollow stems or loose soil.
Common Plant Targets for Ants
Ants can target a wide range of plants, but they’re particularly drawn to:
- Fruit Trees: The sweet fruits and sap make them attractive targets.
- Herbs: Herbs like mint and basil can be damaged by ants foraging for aphids.
- Houseplants: Indoor plants can suffer from ant infestations, especially if they have aphid problems.
- Vegetable Gardens: Many vegetables produce sweet substances that attract ants.
How to Identify Ant Damage on Plants
Ants can cause subtle but noticeable damage to plants, especially when they’re drawn to plants with other pests or if they’re nesting nearby. Identifying ant-related issues early is essential to protect your plants from further harm.
Here’s what to look for:
Signs of Ant Activity
Ants often leave telltale signs when they’re active around plants. Observing these behaviors can help confirm that ants are involved in any plant damage.
- Ant Trails on Stems and Leaves: If you see a steady line of ants marching up and down your plants, especially on stems and leaves, it’s a sign they’re foraging or interacting with other pests on the plant.
- Soil Disturbance Near the Roots: Some ants tunnel near or around plant roots, which can disturb the soil and harm plant stability, especially in container plants.
- Mounds or Small Piles of Dirt: Around the base of plants, small mounds of disturbed soil can indicate the presence of an ant colony nearby.
These signs alone may not be conclusive, but they provide good initial clues that ants are likely interacting with your plants.
Symptoms of Aphid Infestation (Linked to Ants)
Ants are often drawn to plants with aphid infestations because of the honeydew aphids produce, which is a sweet, sticky substance that ants love. If aphids are present, ants are likely to follow.
- Sticky Residue (Honeydew) on Leaves: This is one of the most common signs of an aphid infestation. Ants “farm” aphids for honeydew, which they consume as a food source.
- Yellowing Leaves: Aphids sap the nutrients from plants, causing leaves to turn yellow and weaken, making plants more vulnerable.
- Sooty Mold on Leaves: The sticky honeydew left by aphids can lead to black sooty mold, a fungus that grows on the sugary residue. This mold can cover leaves and block sunlight, affecting the plant’s health.
Since aphids and ants often coexist, finding these symptoms means it’s likely that ants are part of the problem.
Root Damage and Wilting
In some cases, ants nesting near plants may damage the roots, particularly if they’re excavating soil around the root zone. This can lead to symptoms in the plant itself:
- Wilting Leaves or Stunted Growth: If ants disturb the soil around a plant’s roots, it may impact water absorption, leading to wilting or slowed growth.
- Loose or Shallow Roots: Over time, ants digging around the roots can cause the plant to become loosely anchored in the soil, reducing its stability.
When these symptoms appear alongside visible ant activity, it’s a strong indication that the ants may be causing harm.
Confirming Ant Damage vs. Other Pests
To determine if ants are directly responsible or if they’re following another pest:
- Inspect the Underside of Leaves: Look for aphids, scale insects, or other pests that produce honeydew.
- Observe Plant Health Over Time: If ant activity intensifies alongside visible plant damage, it may confirm that ants are contributing to the problem.
Effective Ways to Stop Ants from Eating My Plants
When it comes to stopping ants in your garden, a combination of targeted strategies will often yield the best results. Let’s dive into specific, expert-approved methods to do
ants pest control while protecting your plants and keeping your garden balanced.
Use Natural Ant Repellents
Natural repellents offer a safe way to keep ants away from plants without introducing harmful chemicals. Here’s how to use them effectively:
- Essential Oil Spray: Create a potent ant repellent by mixing 10 drops of peppermint oil, 10 drops of tea tree oil, and a few drops of dish soap in a spray bottle filled with one cup of water.
- How to Apply: Shake the mixture well and spray it directly on ant trails around plant stems and leaves, avoiding delicate flowers. Reapply every few days or after rain.
- Why It Works: Ants are highly sensitive to strong scents like peppermint and tea tree, which disrupt their scent trails and deter them from returning.
- Vinegar Solution: For a stronger repellent, mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
- How to Apply: Spray the solution along the soil, plant stems, and visible trails, but avoid spraying directly on leaves, as vinegar can cause leaf burn on some plants.
- Why It Works: The acidic smell of vinegar masks ant pheromone trails, making it harder for them to find their way back to the plants.
- Ground Barriers with Coffee or Cinnamon: Sprinkle coffee grounds or ground cinnamon around the base of each plant, creating a natural barrier ants dislike.
- How to Apply: Apply a thin, continuous line around each plant or along ant trails. Refresh the barrier every week or after heavy rain.
- Why It Works: The scent of coffee and cinnamon interferes with ant communication, deterring them from crossing the barrier.
Biological Controls
Encouraging natural predators or introducing certain insects helps control both ants and aphid populations, as ants are often drawn to plants with aphids due to the honeydew aphids produce.
- Introduce Beneficial Insects (e.g., Ladybugs and Lacewings): Ladybugs and lacewings prey on aphids, which indirectly reduces the ants’ interest in your plants.
- How to Apply: Release ladybugs or lacewing larvae directly onto affected plants, especially on plants with visible aphid colonies. Beneficial insects can be purchased online or at garden centers.
- Why It Works: Reducing aphid populations removes the ants’ main attraction, making your plants less appealing to them.
- Apply Beneficial Nematodes: If ants are nesting in the soil around plants, beneficial nematodes can target ant larvae underground.
- How to Apply: Purchase beneficial nematodes and follow the package instructions, usually mixing them with water and applying the solution to the soil around affected plants.
- Why It Works: Nematodes are microscopic organisms that prey on ant larvae, helping to disrupt the colony without harming your plants or beneficial garden insects.
Physical Barriers to Deter Ants
Physical barriers prevent ants from reaching the plant by blocking or trapping them on their path. These methods are particularly effective around stems and pots.
- Sticky Traps or Tanglefoot on Stems: Apply a non-toxic sticky barrier, such as Tanglefoot, around the stems or trunks of plants.
- How to Apply: Carefully wrap a small piece of cloth around the plant stem and apply Tanglefoot to the cloth, not directly on the stem, to avoid harming the plant.
- Why It Works: The sticky surface traps ants, preventing them from climbing further and discouraging them from returning.
- Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Around Plant Bases: Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth around the base of plants as a protective barrier.
- How to Apply: Create a continuous line of DE around each plant or along visible ant trails. Reapply after rain, as moisture reduces its effectiveness.
- Why It Works: DE is a natural powder made from fossilized algae. Its abrasive texture damages ants’ exoskeletons, deterring them without chemicals.
Best Practices for Preventing Ant Infestations
Preventing ants in the garden starts with proactive care. Follow these simple steps to keep ants away from your plants:
Maintain a Clean Garden
- Prune and Remove Debris: Regularly trim plants and clear dead leaves to eliminate hiding spots for ants.
- Dispose of Infested Plant Parts: Remove leaves with pests like aphids to reduce honeydew, which attracts ants.
Ensure Healthy Soil and Watering Habits
- Avoid Overwatering: Water plants only as needed; excess moisture attracts ants.
- Use Well-Draining Soil: Good drainage prevents waterlogged soil that ants seek out.
- Fertilize Moderately: Use balanced fertilizers to keep plants healthy without encouraging pest growth.
Control Aphid Populations
- Inspect Leaves: Check for aphids under leaves and address early infestations.
- Encourage Beneficial Insects: Ladybugs and lacewings naturally keep aphid populations low.
Create Natural Ant Barriers
- Diatomaceous Earth and Cinnamon: Sprinkle these around plant bases to repel ants without chemicals.
- Sticky Barriers: Apply non-toxic sticky products to pot rims or plant stems (using fabric barriers) to stop ants from climbing.
Reduce Nearby Attractants
- Remove Food Scraps and Sweet Fertilizers: Clear fallen fruit and avoid sugary fertilizers that can attract ants.
- Seal Nearby Cracks: Block potential nesting sites near garden beds or paths.
These simple practices will help you create a garden environment that naturally deters ants, keeping your plants safe and healthy.
Are Ants Harmful to Plants?
While ants can be beneficial in some ways, such as aerating soil, they can also cause significant damage to plants:
- Direct Damage: Ants may bite plant tissue or disturb roots, leading to stunted growth and weakened plants.
- Indirect Damage: By protecting and farming aphids, ants contribute to the spread of these harmful pests, which can severely damage plants.
Take Back Your Garden
Don’t let ants and other pests ruin your garden’s beauty. If you’re struggling to keep these pesky invaders at bay, call us today at
(626)625-2869 to schedule a professional inspection and treatment.
Our expert technicians will identify the root of the problem and implement effective solutions to restore your garden to its former glory.
