Ants are one of the most common garden dwellers, and while they can play a beneficial role in the ecosystem, they can also be a gardener’s nemesis. As someone who has felt the sting of their tiny but mighty bite, and who has battle scars from a summer spent grappling with ants, I understand the need to keep them in check, especially as we prepare for the next season at the Gathering Garden.
As temperatures drop and ants become dormant, it’s the perfect time to strategize for their management. One such method is diatomaceous earth, a fine powder derived from the fossilized remains of diatoms. This non-toxic substance works not by poisoning, but is literally death by a thousand cuts, absorbing the oils in the exoskeletons of ants and dehydrating them. Caution is advised when applying it, as it can irritate the lungs and skin upon contact.
There are also a host of home remedies that are said to deter ants. Coffee grounds, peppermint, tea tree oil, and vinegar are often recommended. However, my experience has been mixed! An attempt to use coffee grounds in the community garden resulted in the ants rebuilding their mounds with the grounds themselves, they’re tough little ladies.
Neem oil, a natural insecticide from the neem tree, is often cited by gardeners for its effectiveness. It’s particularly useful around plants besieged by ants and aphids, as ants tend to farm these sap-sucking bugs. But it seems that the diluted forms or those containing neem extract don’t pack the same punch as full-strength neem oil, and too much can harm plants, so try to find a balance. Also, Neem Oil harms more than just ants, never apply Neem Oil or any insecticide on blooming flowers to protect our pollinators.
When it comes to more aggressive tactics, boric acid is a known ant killer, disrupting their digestive systems and exoskeletons. It’s potent stuff and can take out a colony within weeks. The same goes for borax, which, despite sounding similar, is a different chemical. Both of these substances, however, must be used with extreme caution around pets and children due to their toxicity.
Mix borax or boric acid to sugar water and apply to cotton balls and leave them near the colony, this creates a sweetened liquid bait with sugar and water to attract the ants, which then carry the poison back to their nest. Safety gloves are a must when handling these substances, and any containers used should be thoroughly washed or discarded afterwards.
If all else fails, bait traps might be a safer solution for both humans and pets in the vicinity. These traps entice ants with bait, which is then carried back to the nest, sharing the lethal treasure with the colony. Whether you opt for traps containing boric acid, borax, or other chemicals like hydramethylnon, it’s crucial to choose ones that are enclosed to prevent accidental contact with the substance inside.
Ants are a formidable foe, but with a combination of vigilance and an arsenal of tools, from organic deterrents to targeted chemical interventions, we can manage their populations and reclaim our gardens. And as always, when dealing with any pest control substance, understanding and adhering to the safety guidelines is key to ensuring a healthy garden and a safe environment for everyone.
We are on a mission to safely control the ants in The Gathering Garden, feel free to swing by and visit in Mount Gilead at the corner of W Allenton St and School St, if you want to discuss gardening with us, you can find out more about or workdays on our facebook page.
In these weekly columns, I will share the science of gardening and so many more interesting tidbits. Check back here every week for tailored Montgomery County garden advice, sharing our garden updates, and more.
Let’s grow together!
This article was originally published in the Montgomery Herald and is reused here with permission by Mary Poplin.