Lifestyle Desk – Lush plants in the house not only give freshness to the environment but also enhance the beauty of the house. Plants planted in the balcony, terrace or garden also help in reducing stress and feeling closer to nature. But many times a small problem overshadows the health of these beautiful plants and that is ants making a home in the pots. Initially this problem may seem minor, but if care is not taken in time, ants can damage the roots of plants by making tunnels inside the soil. Due to this, the growth of plants stops and they gradually start drying up.
Often people use chemical pesticides available in the market to get rid of this problem. Although, they eliminate ants, but sometimes they can also have a negative impact on the roots of plants and the quality of the soil. In such a situation, ants can be kept away from pots by adopting some easy and home remedies. Let us know in detail.
Ants do not like the strong smell of cinnamon at all. If a little cinnamon powder is sprinkled on the soil of the pot, the ants go away from there. This method is also considered safe for plants and does not cause any harm to the soil.
Neem oil has been used as a natural insecticide for a long time. Prepare a spray by mixing a few drops of neem oil and a little liquid soap in one liter of water. Sprinkling this mixture lightly on the soil and surrounding areas of plants keeps ants and many other small insects away.
Mix equal amounts of white vinegar and water and sprinkle it on the outside of the pot and around it. Ants do not like the smell of vinegar, so they start staying away from that place. However, avoid pouring this solution in large quantities directly on the leaves or roots of the plants.
Instead of throwing away the remaining coffee powder, scatter it lightly on the soil of the pot. Its strong fragrance helps in keeping ants away. Besides, coffee powder in limited quantity is also considered beneficial for the soil.
Turmeric has natural anti-bacterial properties and its smell is also not liked by ants. Turmeric can be lightly sprinkled on the edges of the pot. At the same time, use salt in very small quantities and limit it only to the outer part of the pot, because excess salt can be harmful for both the soil and the plants.
If ants are coming to the pot again and again, then first of all check whether there is excessive moisture in the soil or whether there are any remains of sweet substances lying there. Water the plants as per requirement and keep loosening the soil slightly from time to time. It is also very important to maintain cleanliness around the pots. By taking a little care and adopting these easy home remedies, you can keep your plants safe from ants. This will not only keep the roots of the plants healthy, but your balcony and garden will also remain green and beautiful for a long time.
