Home»Pests - Diseases»Ants
Chances are , if you ’ve been on this site for very long , you ’ve heard us mention gratis horticulture .
Sometimes pertain to as companion planting , this proficiency takes advantage of the rude holding in plant to attract beneficial insects , repel pestilence , and regulate water or dirt quality .
Companion planting , when done right , can grant enough wheat for a loaf of bread of lettuce in 10 square feet , plus herbs to add flavor and even some pretty flowers for the table !
But the particular aspect we ’ll be looking at here is in pestis ascendancy , namely emmet .
Harvester and leafcutter ants can strip the leaves off of your plants , and ants are also be intimate to protect many common piercing cuss or bug from natural piranha in exchange for their honeydew melon .
Before investing in harsh chemicals for the next bound planting , take using these plant instead as a natural ( and often tasty ) remedy .
What are Some Plants that Repel Ants?
There are quite a few plant out there that make ants reckon twice about invading your garden .
Here are some of the most rough-cut ones .
Garlic
When the Catholic Church begin absorbing pagan religions , they took particular note of hand of how garlic was used to repulse all sorts of folklore monsters that hunted through scent , such as the wampyr ( vampire ) and loup-garou .
Today , we know that garlic ( Allium sativum ) actually does repel a number of plague , from ants all the way up to rodents and ex - fellow .
When implant in the garden , these plants form a protective roadblock that few undesirable critter will dare pass , while not hindering good insects .
Garlic also has numerous health welfare for people , although research has debunked some of its more uttermost “ miracle curative quality ” .
Lavender
One of the most beloved scents for human being just so happen to be a nightmare for ants .
Not only does lavender make for a endearing floral showing , it attract of import pollinator such as honey bee and butterflies , which will then pollenate the rest of your garden .
The heady perfume of lavender is too much for pismire , however , and planting these in front of taller shrubs or trees can lead in an ant - proof barrier that you ’ll love .
For those new to lavender , Gallic lavender ( Lavandula dentata and Lavandula stoechas ) can be a great , easy to deal for starter industrial plant .
Lemongrass
This terrific herb contains citronella , a natural chemical famous for repelling ants , mosquitoes , and many other pests .
While some species oflemongrass(Cymbopogon spp . ) are known for their culinary uses , others are used in beekeeping and folk medicine .
Another swell benefit of lemongrass is its common use as an ornamental hedge or seclusion screen , with perennial growth attain more than 6 ’ metrical foot grandiloquent .
Marigolds
Marigoldsactually hail from a few different genera , with the common marigold ( Calendula officinalis ) and four coinage in the genus Tagetes being the most democratic .
An supply incentive is the fact that the vulgar marigold is in reality comestible and savour great in salads .
Not only are these plants often fun starters for kids , but they have a report for repelling a wide-eyed range of pests and look jolly while doing so .
As these plant can be as pocket-sized as 6 ” inches ( count on the species ) , they work great as a low roadblock to tall plant and can repel ants , nematodes , and even cervid .
However , they can be attacked by some metal money of aphid , as well as spider mites and biff , so they ’re not a one - and - done solution to every trouble .
Mint
Mint is perhaps one of the best plants out there for complimentary gardening .
It repels a wide range of pesterer , let in ants , and has countless uses in the home and kitchen .
Most gardener deposit to peppermint ( Mentha × piperita ) or spearmint ( Mentha spicata ) , but you could also try more exotic varieties such as apple mint ( Mentha suaveolens ) , corn mint ( Mentha arvensis ) or pennyroyal ( Mentha pulegium ) .
Rosemary
This awful kitchen herb is equally amazing in the garden .
When youplant rosemaryaround larger plants , the wonderful aroma will snub several pests , including ant .
It can then be harvest for use in the kitchen as well as numerous folks and home remedies and even cunning .
But one thing you might not know is that rosemary ( Salvia genus Rosmarinus ) and its many cultivar can be grow perennially as hedges , attract butterfly and bees to your garden while bring about beautiful flowered displays .
Tansy
One of those fun little flowering plants you do n’t hear much about , tansy ( Tanacetum vulgare ) has attractive yellow flowers and a tenacious history of uses in food for thought and medicine , although it can be toxic in large quantities .
The plant , especially when in peak , can fight off a wide range of pest , including emmet , cutworms , Nipponese beetles , and some species of mosquito .
Even better , the plant is jazz to draw in ladybird beetle , which are a natural predator of aphids and other cuss that pismire will test and protect .
The scent of a golden buttons is not unpleasant and has often been describes as “ camphor with a speck of rosemary ” .
Thyme
Another great kitchen herbaceous plant , thyme ( Thymus vulgaris ) is really related to mint and is well - known for repulse ants , aphids , and rabbits .
The herb itself can be reap for culinary uses , but also has medicative dimension and was traditionally used for incense in many cultures .
Why These Plants Work
If you look close , you ’ll feel that all of these plant have something in rough-cut – a potent scent .
Ants expend odor as a elemental means of communication , lay trails to food source and to warn of dangerous areas .
The aroma of these plants can be detected by ants and actually overwhelm the aroma trails , do pismire become disorientate .
As a result , worker will hear to obviate getting too close to the industrial plant , instead detour around pronounce aromatic plant life so their trails can be detected by fellow worker .
Some Other Great Ant Repellers
There are so many ant repelling works out there that we could n’t mayhap heel them all in one clause .
Here are some other great selection we just could n’t result out :
