How to Get Rid of Ants From Your Tomato Plants
WouterUsually, ants do not harm tomato plants. But they can cause problems if they become excessive. Their pheromones can disrupt the growth of plants. They are omnivores and feed on organic matter. They leave behind different types of stools, which are also rich in nutrients.
They are most active at night. To discourage them from feeding on your tomatoes, put a barrier of baby powder or table salt around your plant. Replace it as needed.
Ants are attracted to the honeydew produced by aphids. If you have aphids in your garden, you can attract them away from your tomatoes by spraying water or horticultural oil.
Another way to discourage ants from feeding on your tomatoes is to sprinkle cornmeal or cornstarch around the base of the plant. Cornmeal is an effective insecticide. It is also an excellent source of nitrogen, which encourages plant growth. Cornmeal also comes in different colors, so you can choose one that will be easy for the ants to find.
Another effective way to control ants is to use lemon peels. The citrus peels are very pungent and can disorient ants. They also emit a scent that dissipates ant trails.
You can also add some lemon juice to water to create a spray that you can apply to the ants. Vinegar is another effective contact insecticide. It contains acetic acid, which dissolves the waxy layer on leaves.
Aside from these methods, there are also commercial pesticides that you can use. However, many of these pesticides contain active ingredients that are harmful to pets and children.
