How to Keep Ants Out of Your Garden

Keeping ants out of your garden may sound like a daunting task, but there are ways to keep them out. A few species of ants are quite helpful, while others can be harmful. If you are concerned about ants, it may be time to consider pesticides, but many gardeners are choosing natural methods.

Ants are one of the most common pests in the garden. Their mission is to protect aphids from predators and to move them to better plants. Ants also aerate the soil, which improves the moisture content of the soil.

Ants are attracted to sweet liquids, so you should place jars filled with sugary liquids around your flower beds. They will drown if they get into the jars, so you should throw them out if you have a problem.

You may also consider sticking a piece of contact paper on the plant you want to keep ants away from. It will attract ants, and they will stick to the paper and eventually be trapped. You can also make your own sticky trap from items in your kitchen.

If you are considering pesticides, be sure to research the ingredients. Diatomaceous Earth is an organic mineral-based insecticide. It has no residual effects and is considered the safest form of insecticide. Botanical pyrethrins are also effective contact killers. These are the same chemicals found in ant baits.

You can also use borax and sugar to kill ants. These ingredients work by expanding in the ants stomachs.