Ants can be a real nuisance when they make their way into your home and can encourage other pests like aphids – but one garden expert has shared a cheap and eco-friendly way to get rid of them
While many Brits relish the summertime flutter of butterflies and buzz of bees in their gardens, no one’s chuffed when ants start to march into our homes. In a bid to combat these uninvited guests, gardening experts from J Parker’s have hopped onto TikTok (@jparkersbulbs) with some clever tricks for managing ant invasions.
Assistant Garden Centre Manager at J.Parker’s, Hannah Rowson, doled out her wisdom in a video, saying: “Usually, I wouldn’t consider ants pests in the garden because of their vital role in the ecosystem. But they can be a nuisance when they get into your home, and they can encourage other pests like aphids.”
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Hannah divulged an inexpensive and environmentally friendly top tip: “I recommend using a strong-smelling lavender or peppermint oil to deter them.” She explained how by mixing the oil you can craft a spray to fend off ants.
How to make and use the spray
Combine 1015 drops of either lavender or peppermint oil with a cup of water to concoct your nifty ant-repelling spritz. Sprinkle this concoction around likely infiltration spots such as windowsills, door thresholds, and any nooks and crannies.
You’ll need to redo the scent every few days or once the smell begins to weaken, considering the quick evaporation of essential oils.
How to clear ants’ nests from pots
Hannah also shares her tips on what to do if ants start setting up home in your plant pots, saying: “If they get into a plant pot and build a nest, remove it and repot your plant. If they get into your compost heap, make sure to keep turning it!”.
“That will disturb the nest enough so that they won’t be able to build the nest properly and they’ll move on to somewhere else.”
£2 oil is a wildlife-friendly alternative to pest killers
Snap up some lavender oil for as little as £2 from various shops, and you’ve got yourself a natural, non-toxic way to keep ants at bay.
Hannah suggests that not only will your garden smell divine, but the strong aroma is off-putting to ants, keeping them away from treated spots.
While most essential oils are derived naturally and shouldn’t harm helpful critters like bees or ladybirds, Hannah stresses the importance of diluting the oils correctly, doing a patch test, and using them sparingly to protect your greenery.