· Antsinhouseplants usually end up there looking for sweet honeydew left by other insects, but they’re also attracted to other yummy treats in the home. They don’t hurt the plants, but it’s good to know what’s attracting them and how to fix the problem. · When you've got ants in your plants, take back your pots and container gardens with these expert tips. Ants play a key role in maintaining the health of ecosystems, including potted plants. To get rid of them, repot the plant, disturb the soil, soak the pot, or use insecticidal soap. Ants love to make homes in potted plants, drawn by the shelter and sweet secretions of other pests, like aphids. Although ants don’t actually do much harm to plants themselves, they’re still unwelcome house guests. Luckily, there are a number of solutions, both chemical and natural, to deploy against the tiny invaders and flush them out for good. We’ll show you how to use pesticides to fight an infestation, soak and repot your plant for a fresh start, and use common household items to deter any further insect visitors.Add insecticides like permethrin or diatomaceous earth to your plant’s soil, or set ant traps armed with pesticides in or around the pot.Submerge the pot in a mixture of water and dish soap for 15 minutes to flush out the ants.Repot any plants with particularly stubborn or uncontrollable infestations, washing the pot with warm water and bleach, then adding fresh potting soil.See full list on wikihow.comPlace ant bait near the plant to destroy the ant colony.Ants are drawn to the bait, which contains slow-acting insecticides contained in attractive sugars, oils, and proteins. Worker ants bring the poisonous food back to the colony and pass the harmful item directly to the mouths of other worker ants, larvae, and queens. As the poisonous bait is passed from ant to ant or ant to larvae, the colony slowly dwindles.directly into the infested potted plant.with the insecticide of your choice, such as Set it near the base of the plant and refill it as needed.Before using ant baits, always read the label to ensure that it is safe to use around children and pets. Purchase baits that include one of the following active ingredients: hydramethylnon, fipronil, boric acid, or avermectin B.See full list on wikihow.comMix 1 US gal (3.8 L) of water with 1 cup (~0.24 L) of dish soap.If your potted plant is totally infested with tiny pests, flooding the soil with a water-soap solution will cause the ants to flee their nest. The ants that come into contact with the mild insecticide mixture will die or drown. To prepare the solution:Fill a clean bucket with 1 US gal (3.8 L) of water. (If your potted plant is large, double or triple the amount of water).Stir in 1 cup (~0.24 L) of, or dish detergent per 1 US gal (3.8 L) of water.Divide the solution among a bucket, spray bottle, and a measuring cup.See full list on wikihow.comRemove the plant from its pot and rinse its roots with water.In order to eradicate an out-of-control ant colony,to remove and replace the infested soil. Use a gardening trowel to carefully remove the plant from the pot. Throw away any soil remaining in the pot. Gently spray the roots with a hose to dislodge any ants or infested soil.This is a messy job—work in a spot that can get dirty and wet.Scrub the pot with a mixture of bleach and water.After removing the infected soil from the pot, you need to sanitize the container. Thoroughly cleaning the pot will ensure that all traces of the infected soil are removed. Use a cloth or sponge to scrub the inside and outside of the pot with a 1:10 bleach to water solution, then rinse it with water.See full list on wikihow.comMix coffee grounds into the potting soil.Ants detest coffee grounds and will avoid them if they are able. Mix a handful of used grounds into the plant’s soil. Coffee grounds have the added benefit of providing nutrients to your plants’ roots!on the plants every few days.Many natural oils are effective insecticides and pest repellants. Mix several drops of oil with about 1 c (0.24 L) warm water, and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Then, thoroughly mist your plant, the soil, and the pot itself with the mixture every few days, until the infestation is gone. Continue spraying the soil and plant to prevent further infestations.Other effective oils include citronella andMake a barrier with household productsSee full list on wikihow.comThis article was co-authored byand by wikiHow staff writer,See full list on wikihow.comSep 7, 2025 · There are a few simple steps to take if you want to evict ants from your potted plants, especially if you’re getting ready to bring the pots indoors for winter, says Oi. Flush the pot with water. Ants will relocate if you drench the soil with your garden hose. · We’ll explore why they showed up in the first place, give you an immediate action plan, and share a host of sustainable and eco-friendly methods to reclaim your plant’s pot. Consider this your definitive how to get rid of antsin my houseplants care guide. View allJan 30, 2025 · We asked pest control pros to share their best tips for stopping ants from nesting in your plant pots and how to get rid of them ASAP. · If you’ve ever tried to grow houseplants, you know that keeping them free of pests can be a real challenge. Ants are one common pest that can infest your plants, and if left untreated, they can do serious damage. In this blog post, we’ll share some tips on how to get rid of antsin your houseplants. · There are a few simple steps to take if you want to evict ants from your potted plants, especially if you’re getting ready to bring the pots indoors for winter, says Oi. Flush the pot with water. Ants will relocate if you drench the soil with your garden hose. · We’ll explore why they showed up in the first place, give you an immediate action plan, and share a host of sustainable and eco-friendly methods to reclaim your plant’s pot. Consider this your definitive how to get rid of antsin my houseplants care guide. · We asked pest control pros to share their best tips for stopping ants from nesting in your plant pots and how to get rid of them ASAP. · If you’ve ever tried to grow houseplants, you know that keeping them free of pests can be a real challenge. Ants are one common pest that can infest your plants, and if left untreated, they can do serious damage. In this blog post, we’ll share some tips on how to get rid of antsin your houseplants.
