Natural, effective and safe methods for plants. Why they need to be kept under control

Ants, although seemingly harmless, can quickly become an annoying pest in the garden. Although they do not directly consume plants, they protect aphids (leaf lice), dig tunnels around roots and can even damage seeds or soil structure. The good news? There are natural, effective, affordable and completely non-toxic solutions that can be applied both in the vegetable garden and around flowers or trees.

Why ants need to be kept under control

Even though they also have an ecological role (aerating the soil, recycling organic matter), in excess, ants can become a real problem:  

• They protect and move plant lice, which they “milk” for their sweet secretions (honeydew);
• They dig galleries around young roots, affecting the stability of the plant;
• They suffocate seedlings with their nests, especially in sandy soil;
• They can also penetrate the solarium, increasing the risk of plant contamination with aphids;
• They attack sweet fruits (strawberries, melons, plums) if they are cracked.

 

Why natural methods work

Ants rely on a complex system of communication through pheromones — chemical trails left on the ground or on plants. When these trails are altered, they lose their way and leave the area.  

• Strong scents, such as those with acids or menthol, disrupt these communication pathways and act as natural repellents.
• Uncomfortable textures (ash, cinnamon, baking soda) physically prevent them from moving around or building nests.

Effective natural methods for getting rid of ants

1. Vinegar and water solution (1:1)
– How come:

• Mix 1 part vinegar (9%) with 1 part water.
• Spray on paths, near plants, around roots or on bushes.

– Why it works:
Vinegar destroys pheromone trails. Ants lose their bearings and leave the area.
– How often:
Every 5–7 days, early morning or evening.
Repeat after rain.

2. Lemon juice (unsweetened)
– How to use:

• Squeeze 1–2 lemons and spray areas frequented by ants.

– Where:
In garden rows, around the edges of sunrooms, under pots, or on patios.
– Why it works:
Lemon juice is acidic and destroys the colony’s chemical signatures.
– Tip:
Do not pour on delicate leaves—it can cause burns.

3. Peppermint spray (Mentha piperita)
– Simple recipe:

• 10 drops of peppermint essential oil + 500 ml of water + 1 teaspoon of natural liquid soap.

– How it works:
Peppermint is extremely irritating to the olfactory system of ants.
– Where to apply:
Around plants, on walls, near windows, around seedlings.

Other natural anti-ant remedies

Remedy	How to use	Main effect
Wood ash	Sprinkle around plants or on trails	Dries out ants and disturbs them
Cinnamon powder	Around nests or at the edge of layers	Intense repellent, persistent smell
Borax + sugar	Mix 1:1 and place in plastic caps	Attracts and eliminates the colony
Corn flour	Sprinkle on trails	Blocks ants’ digestion
Baking powder	Around the nest or at the base of plants	Changes pH and irritates the exoskeleton

Borax is natural, but toxic if ingested by animals or children. Use it with caution and only in isolated areas.

Long-term solutions: which plants repel ants

Certain plants give off scents that repel ants. You can use them as aromatic hedges or in portable pots:

• Mint (Mentha)
• Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
• Lovage
• Marguerites (Tagetes)
• Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)
• Lavender

These plants keep away not only ants, but also aphids, whiteflies, and moths.

When and how to apply natural treatments

Situation	Recommended method	Frequency
Active invasion in the garden	Vinegar + water / lemon / mint	1 time every 3 days
Prevention in the solarium / pots	Mint + cinnamon + ash	1 time per week
After rain or intense irrigation	Reapplication of all solutions	Immediately after soil drying

❗ What you should NOT do

• Don’t use systemic chemical insecticides in your edible garden without a good reason.
• Don’t pour hot water directly into the soil – it can also damage the roots of your plants.
• Don’t leave out sugary scraps, fermented compost or fallen fruit – they quickly attract entire colonies.

Nature offers us the safest weapons against ants

Ants can be effectively repelled with simple and natural means, without endangering the health of plants or soil. Vinegar, lemon, mint, cinnamon and aromatic herbs are reliable allies. By applying them regularly and alternating methods, your garden will become an unattractive place for these tenacious insects.