Ants are beneficial insects that help disperse seeds, improve soil, and control other pests.
However, in a greenhouse they can become unwelcome guests, as they can damage plants, breed aphids and interfere with crop care.
How to get rid of ants in a greenhouse without harming plants and the environment? In this article, we offer you three easy ways to deal with ants in a greenhouse.
The first method is to use a soap solution.
Soap contains fats that disrupt the breathing and protective layer of ants, causing their death.
In addition, soap repels ants with its smell and removes the pheromones by which they navigate. To prepare a soap solution, you will need 1 teaspoon of liquid soap and 0.5 liters of warm water.
Mix the ingredients and pour the solution into a spray bottle. Spray it on your plants and ant-infested areas in your greenhouse. Repeat every few days until the ants are gone.
The second method is to use a vinegar solution.
Vinegar is an acid that irritates and burns ants and destroys their nests.
In addition, vinegar has a strong smell that repels ants from the greenhouse. To prepare a vinegar solution, you will need equal parts water and white vinegar.
Mix the ingredients and pour the solution into a spray bottle. Spray the perimeter of the greenhouse, doorways, and frames. You can also soak rags or paper towels in vinegar and place them where ants pass.
The third way is to use ant traps.
Ant traps are small boxes with bait that contains poison for ants. The bait attracts ants with its sweet smell, and the poison paralyzes their nervous system, causing death.
The ants do not die immediately, but manage to transfer the poison to their nest, infecting other individuals. To use ant traps, you need to place them in places where you have seen ants.
Monitor the traps and replace them as needed. Be careful when handling the traps as they contain poison that can be dangerous to children and pets.
These were three easy ways to get rid of ants in a greenhouse.
Choose the one that suits you best, or combine them for the best effect. This way you can protect your plants and harvest from unwanted guests.