I have had a small mound of fire ants in the corner of one of my vegetable beds for over a year and have made a good faith effort to coexist. I have even given up valuable gardening space to allow them to occupy that corner. As a garden coach, I always teach that’s it’s important to grow a diverse vegetable garden. One that is planted with vegetables, herbs, and flowers to invite in beneficial insects. And yes, ants do have some benefits.
- They aerate the soil and improve drainage.
- They can help control some harmful garden pests like aphids and caterpillars.
But this week, unprevoked, they set my feet on fire while watering! Nevermind that I wore my flip flops instead of garden boots. It was time for these ants in the garden to go!
I knew I wanted to use natural ant control since this was in my vegetable garden. So here is what I did and it worked! So far…..I used boiling water poured over the ant hill several times. While boiling water can be a quick way to kill ants you see above ground, it’s not the most effective natural solution for vegetable gardens because it only kills the ants it directly touches. It may not penetrate into the nest and kill the queen. So they will probably recover. But I’ll be ready, I sprinkled cinnamon all over the soil in the corner of that bed today.
Although I’m hoping the boiling water and cinnamon will be enough for them to look for a better home that’s far from my raised beds, there’s a few other tricks I can try. No more Mr. Nice Guy.
-
Diatomaceous Earth (DE):
- DE is a powder made from fossilized algae and works by desiccation. Use food grade DE
- When ants crawl over DE, it damages their waxy outer coating, causing them to dehydrate and die.
- DE is safe for humans, pets, and beneficial insects when used correctly (avoid inhaling dust). Apply a thin layer around the base of plants, ant trails or mound.
-
Cayenne Pepper Spray:
- Capsaicin, the compound that makes peppers hot, irritates ants.
- Mix 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper with 1 quart of water.
- Spray directly on ant trails or around the perimeter of your garden beds.
- Reapply after rain. Be sure to avoid spraying near flowering plants as it may deter pollinators.
-
Soap Spray:
- Dish soap or castile soap can disrupt the pheromone trails ants use to communicate and navigate.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of liquid soap with 1 quart of water.
- Spray directly on ant trails or around the base of plants.
- Reapply after rain. Be sure to avoid spraying directly on leaves of vegetables as it may leave a residue.
Remember, natural methods may take a little longer than chemical solutions, but they’re safer for your garden and the environment. Be patient, observe the ant behavior, and don’t wear flip flops while watering your garden.
Happy Gardening!
Karen
Personalized Garden Help – Just a Click Away!
Feeling overwhelmed by your garden? Get the guidance you need in a convenient, recorded Zoom session. We’ll have a personalized chat about your gardening goals, and you’ll get a recording to revisit at your leisure. Plus, I’ll follow up with an email to answer any lingering questions. Book your session today and start growing your dream garden!
- This post contains affiliate links. Any purchase you make may provide me with a small compensation.