Ants are useful helpers for nature, but they can also be a nuisance for humans. The insects are particularly annoying when they appear in the house. Unfortunately, ants have a preference for houseplants and like to nest in the substrate. Read this article to find out how to recognize the infestation and get rid of the crawling colony quickly.
How do I remove ants from houseplants?
To control ants in houseplants, use home remedies such as coffee grounds, sweet traps, peppermint soap solution or repot the plant. Avoid chemical fungicides as they can harm plants and he alth.
Damage to the plant
You can recognize an ant infestation by eating leaves. However, this is the only symptom. Unlike other pests, ants do not cause much damage to houseplants. Because of their active demeanor, they are much more likely to cause a nuisance anywhere in the home. But be careful, as soon as ants appear in the kitchen cupboard, there is a risk that the food will spoil. You should also act as quickly as possible if you discover aphids on your houseplant. Once they have started producing powdery mildew on the leaves, the ants are certainly not far away. The sticky coating is a real feast for the insects.
Control measures
No matter how annoying the infestation is, chemical fungicides are out of the question. These not only harm the ants, but also your plant and your he alth. The following home remedies are better:
Coffee grounds
Ants detest coffee aroma. Don't throw away your old coffee filter, just pour the contents over the substrate next time.
Luring ants into the trap
Set a trap by mixing a sweet, sticky liquid (honey, syrup, etc.) with water. The sweet scent attracts the ants so you can destroy them specifically.
Make soap solution
Dissolve some peppermint soap (€9.00 on Amazon) (available at the pharmacy) with two cups of water and spray your houseplant with the solution.
Repotting houseplants
If none of the measures mentioned help, pot your houseplant in fresh substrate and wash the old planter well.
Note: Although it is primarily the adult animals that cause trouble for those affected, the real problem is the young ants. While adult animals have already completed most of their lives, the young generation usually reproduces unnoticed. If nothing is done to stop breeding, the population expansion will never end.
