Ants seem harmless until their paths appear between the beds, near the greenhouse or under fruit trees. They quickly set up new anthills, transfer aphids to young shoots and create whole colonies where just yesterday the ground was clean.
If you act correctly, you can force the insects to leave the plot without unnecessary trouble.
Why ants do not want to leave
Most often they are attracted by:
- aphids on vegetables, roses and fruit trees;
- remains of sweet fruits or berries;
- dry loose soil in which it is easy to build tunnels.
Therefore the fight should start not only with the anthill, but also with eliminating the reasons why the insects settled exactly on your plot.
Method with cinnamon
Ordinary ground cinnamon has a sharp aroma that ants do not like.
It is enough to generously sprinkle:
- the paths along which they move;
- the entrance to the anthill;
- places near greenhouses or flowerbeds.
After rain the procedure needs to be repeated.
Mustard powder
Another proven remedy is dry mustard.
It is scattered in a thin layer around the beds, under the bushes and near the anthills. The smell quickly disrupts the usual routes of the insects, and they start looking for another place for settlement.
Vinegar solution
If the anthill is in an unnecessary place, you can prepare a simple solution:
- 1 liter of water;
- 200 ml of table vinegar.
The liquid is carefully poured directly into the entrance to the anthill. It is best to do this in the evening, when most of the insects have already returned inside.
Ash will help twice at once
Wood ash not only repels ants, but also benefits the soil.
It is sprinkled on:
- places of insect concentration;
- inter-rows;
- areas around trees.
In addition, ash contains potassium and calcium, which are useful for many garden crops.
Do not forget about aphids
Even if you drive away the ants, but aphids remain, after some time they may return.
That is why regularly examine young shoots, roses, cucumbers, peppers and fruit trees. If you destroy the aphids, it will become significantly less interesting for the ants to stay on your plot.
The best result is given not by one separate method, but by a combination of several methods. Regularly remove plant residues, control the appearance of aphids and use natural repellents. Already in a few weeks you will notice that there are much fewer ant paths, and the plants have started developing without unwanted “neighbours”.