A simple way to get rid of ants in the garden without chemical sprays: all you need is a plastic bottle filled with this mixture
Ants can cause a number of problems in the garden, from damaging plants to attracting aphids. Here’s a simple and gentle way to get rid of ants without having to resort to chemical sprays.
Materials needed:
- Plastic bottle
- 1 tablespoon borax
- At least 1 heaping tablespoon of sugar (you can add more if needed)
- 1 tablespoon honey
Procedure:
1. Bait preparation:
Prepare a suitable plastic bottle. First pour the borax into the plastic bottle, then add the sugar and honey.
Shake the mixture well so that all the ingredients combine to form a homogeneous bait.
2. Bottle Adjustment:
Cut a small hole in the top of the bottle to serve as an entrance for the ants.
3. Trap placement:
Place the set bottle in places where you observe a high incidence of ants.
How does it work?
Ants are attracted to the sugar that is part of the trap. Once they enter the bottle and eat the mixture of borax, sugar and honey, the borax acts as a poison that kills the ants. This method is effective because the ants often carry the food back to their nest, which can kill the entire colony.
Why use borax?
- Borax is a gentler alternative to chemical pesticides, but is still effective enough to handle the ant problem.
- This method minimizes the use of harmful substances in your garden while protecting the health of your plants and soil.
Ants can be undesirable in the garden because they can damage plants and attract aphids. There are several natural methods to effectively remove them without the use of chemicals. Here are some of the best tips to accomplish this.
1. Citrus Repellent
How to prepare:
- Boil the zest of six oranges and three lemons in one liter of water for fifteen minutes.
- Let the mixture cool, then blend it.
How to use:
- Apply the prepared repellent to pathways and places where ants move.
2. Soap spray
How to prepare:
- Mix 1 teaspoon of castile soap and a few drops of peppermint, eucalyptus or tea tree oil in 1 litre of warm water.
How to use:
- Spray the solution on plants and areas around them where ants are present.
3. Apple cider vinegar
How to prepare:
- Mix equal amounts of water and apple cider vinegar.
How to use:
- Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray on anthills and areas where ants are present.
4. Spices
How to use:
- Sprinkle ground cinnamon, chili spice, black pepper, cloves or dried herbs such as marjoram, thyme and rosemary around anthills and pathways where ants walk.
5. Diatomaceous Earth
How to use:
- Sprinkle diatomaceous earth on anthills and places where ants are found. Re-apply after rain or watering as the diatomaceous earth must remain dry to be effective.
6. Coffee grounds
How to use:
- Coffee grounds are used similarly to diatomaceous earth. Apply in areas with high ant populations.
7. Baking soda
How to prepare:
- Sprinkle the places where they are often found with white powder. If you repeat this a few times, the ants should move away. If this does not help, mix 10 teaspoons of baking soda with 10 teaspoons of sugar and dissolve in 1 litre of boiled cold water.
With this simple method, you can get rid of ants without the use of harmful chemicals, which is kinder to the environment and your garden. We wish you good luck in your fight against unwelcome guests!
