This post may contain affiliate links.
Ants play an important role in nature, but when they settle in your raised garden beds, they can cause some real problems. Raised beds offer ants the perfect place to settle down. The structure creates a moist environment that’s ideal for them to stay hydrated, dig, and build nests. The warmer, sheltered soil is also an inviting spot for ants to establish colonies. As we often water our raised beds, the moisture is exactly what ants need to survive. They’re also drawn to decaying organic matter, which provides them with the protein and sugars they’re searching for.
While ants can assist with pollination and help aerate the soil, many gardeners would rather keep them out of their garden beds. You can spot an ant problem by looking for telltale signs. Ant trails are often visible on plant leaves, stems, and soil as they move from their nests to search for food. Damaged foliage is another sign, especially if the ants have been aggressively foraging, which can lead to chewed or tattered leaves.
Whether you’re facing a small ant nest or a full-blown invasion, let’s look at the most effective ways to clear them out of your raised garden bed.
Cornmeal
Cornmeal offers a simple, pesticide-free way to deal with ants. The ants are drawn to it and will carry it back to their nest as food. However, since they can’t digest it, the cornmeal expands inside them, eventually leading to their death. To make the most of this method, sprinkle a lot of cornmeal around your garden beds and any visible ant trails.
Cinnamon
The strong scent of cinnamon confuses and repels ants, often prompting them to relocate their nest. To deter them, sprinkle some cinnamon powder directly over ant trails and around your garden bed. For a longer-lasting solution, mix a few drops of cinnamon essential oil with water and spray it over the affected areas.
Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds are another effective way to eliminate ants in your garden bed. Ants despise the smell of coffee, and it works well as a deterrent.
How to Use Coffee Grounds in the Garden
Boiling Water
Take a kettle full of boiling water and carefully pour it directly onto the center of the ant mound, ensuring the nest is thoroughly saturated. The intense heat of boiling water kills ants instantly and destroys the nest’s internal structure, making it inhospitable to any ants that survive. Larger nests may need boiling water treatments for a few days to eliminate them.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a fine, natural powder derived from fossilized aquatic organisms. Using diatomaceous in the garden bed can lead to dehydration in ants. To tackle an ant problem, spread a good layer of diatomaceous earth around and over the ant hill.
Get Rid of the Aphids
Ants are drawn to gardens with abundant food sources, especially aphids and similar pests. They “farm” these insects, feeding on the sweet honeydew aphids produce. By tackling the aphid problem in your garden, you’ll remove the ants’ food source, and they’ll likely move on once there’s nothing left to harvest.
8 Common Pests That Could Ruin Your Fall Vegetable Garden
Relocate Ants
Ants invest a great deal of energy into constructing their nests and are unlikely to stick around if they’re constantly disturbed. By using a shovel to dig up the center of the ant hill and relocating it to a more distant spot in your yard, you can encourage the ants to move without harming them. This way, they’re simply relocated to a less bothersome area.
Soapy Water
Soapy water is an effective way to eliminate ants on the spot. It disrupts their scent trails, making it tougher for them to navigate and locate food. Mix a few tablespoons of organic dish soap with water to tackle the ant nest. Then, either spray this mixture onto the hill or pour it directly into the nest to ensure it reaches the deeper sections.
Orange Peels
The strong citrus aroma of orange peels works as a natural ant repellent. You can place fresh orange peels directly on the ant trails or grind them into a paste to spread around the area. Just be sure to remove any fleshy parts of the peel to avoid attracting other unwanted insects.
12 Clever Ways to Use Up Leftover Orange Peels
Essential Oils
Essential oils like peppermint and tea tree oil have strong scents that ants find repellent. Mix a few drops of essential oil with water and spray the solution around the ant hill and along any visible ant trails. Cotton balls soaked in essential oils can also be placed around the nest or near doorways and windows.
Garlic
Ants detest the smell of garlic and will quickly move on if confronted with this pungent aroma. Place freshly peeled or crushed garlic cloves at the entrance to each ant hill and on any visible trails in the garden bed. Alternatively, make a natural ant deterrent spray by mixing water with garlic puree for long-lasting results.
How to Grow Garlic: A Year’s Supply
16 Easy DIY Raised Beds
While pre-made raised beds can be expensive, building your own is a cost-effective alternative. With some basic materials and a bit of effort, you can construct your own raised beds at a fraction of the cost. Here are 16 DIY Raised garden bed projects to help you get started.
Build Your Dream Garden with These 16 Easy DIY Raised Beds
20 Best Plants for Container Gardening
Container gardening can be as fulfilling as large-scale farming in growing and harvesting food. Whether planting in your backyard, on a balcony, patio, or urban homestead, here are some of the best plants for growing in containers.
