20 Natural Ways to Keep Your Garden Free from Pests and Ants
Gardening is an excellent pastime that comes with numerous benefits. It helps you relax, get in touch with nature, and, most importantly, grow nutritious food. However, with all the benefits that come with gardening, there is one significant downfall – pests and ants. They can kill your plants, damage your lawn, and, in the worst-case scenario, force you to abandon your gardening dreams. However, fret not! Here are 20 natural ways to keep your garden free from pests and ants.
1. Fill Cracks and Holes
- Fill cracks and holes in your garden with soil, sand, or cement. Pests and ants will use any gap or hole to access your garden. You can prevent this by filling all the cracks and holes and sealing them properly.
- This will make it harder for pests and ants to enter your garden and eliminate their access points.
2. Make DIY Ant Bait
Ants are attracted to sweet and sticky substances, which makes your garden a perfect paradise for them. You can use this knowledge to your advantage by making your DIY ant bait.
- To make ant bait, you need a few things; borax, sugar, and water. Mix equal parts of borax and sugar and add a little water to the mixture to make a thick paste.
- Next, place the bait in a strategic location where ants frequent, and watch as they feed on the bait and die.
3. Use Essential Oils
Essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavender can act as natural repellents to pests and ants. They not only smell good but also help keep your garden pest-free.
- To use essential oils, mix a few drops of your preferred oil with water and put it in a spray bottle.
- Spray the mixture on your plants and the surrounding area to keep pests and ants at bay.
4. Use Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds are an excellent way to keep ants away from your garden. They have a strong scent that deters ants, and also, the acidity in coffee repels pests.
- To use coffee grounds, sprinkle them around the perimeter of your garden or around plant pots.
- This will create an ant-repelling barrier and keep pests at bay.
5. Plant Pest Repelling Herbs
Pest repelling herbs are a great addition to any garden. They not only add flavor to your food but also help keep your garden pest-free. Some of the herbs you can plant include:
- Basil
- Mint
- Lavender
- Rosemary
- Thyme
6. Use Orange Peels
Orange peels contain limonene, a compound that repels ants and pests. Instead of throwing away your orange peels, you can use them to keep your garden pest-free.
- To use orange peels, grind them up and sprinkle them around your garden or plant pots.
- This will create an ant and pest-repelling barrier.
7. Use Garlic
Garlic has strong antimicrobial and antifungal properties that make it an excellent pest and ant repellent. You can use garlic in various ways to keep your garden pest-free.
- One option is to mix garlic cloves with water, blend, and spray the mixture around your garden.
- You can also plant garlic around your garden to keep pests and ants at bay.
8. Use Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a type of sedimentary rock that is composed of the fossilized remains of aquatic organisms. It is an effective pest and ant repellent and can be used in various ways.
- To use diatomaceous earth, sprinkle it around the perimeter of your garden or around plant pots.
- This creates a barrier that pests and ants can’t penetrate. When pests or ants come into contact with the diatomaceous earth, it damages their exoskeleton, leading to dehydration and death.
9. Use Neem Oil
Neem oil is a natural pesticide that is extracted from the seeds of the neem tree. It is an effective pest and ant repellent that works by disrupting the pest’s natural hormones.
- To use neem oil, mix a few drops with water and put it in a spray bottle.
- Spray the mixture on your plants and the surrounding area to keep pests and ants at bay.
10. Use Vinegar
Vinegar is an excellent household item that can be used as a natural pest and ant repellent. It has a strong scent that deters pests and ants, making it an effective solution.
- To use vinegar, mix equal parts of water and vinegar and add a few drops of dish soap.
- Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and apply it to the affected area.
11. Prune Your Plants
Pruning your plants can help reduce the presence of pests and ants in your garden. Pests and ants tend to hide in the dense foliage of plants, and by pruning, you expose their hideouts and reduce their population.
- Prune your plants regularly to reduce the density of foliage and eliminate hideouts where pests and ants can reside.
- This not only keeps pests and ants at bay but also promotes healthy plant growth.
12. Use Cucumber Peels
Cucumber peels contain an organic compound called trans-2-nonenal, which is toxic to ants and pests. You can make use of your leftover cucumber peels to keep your garden pest-free.
- To use cucumber peels, grind them up and mix with water to make a paste.
- Apply the paste around your garden or around the plant pots to create an ant and pest-repelling barrier.
13. Use Soap
Soap and water are an excellent pest repellent. They can be used to create a barrier that pests and ants can’t penetrate.
- To make soap solution, mix dish soap with water in a spray bottle.
- Apply the solution to the affected area to eliminate pests and ants.
14. Use Molasses
Molasses can be used to keep ants away from your garden. When molasses is mixed with water, it becomes sticky, making it difficult for ants to penetrate.
- To use molasses, mix it with water to make a thick paste.
- Apply the paste around your garden or around the plant pots to keep ants at bay.
15. Use Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, a natural compound that is toxic to pests and ants. It can be used to keep your garden pest-free.
- To use cayenne pepper, mix it with water and put it in a spray bottle.
- Apply the mixture to the affected area to keep pests and ants at bay.
16. Use Eggshells
Eggshells are an excellent natural pesticide that can help keep your garden pest-free. They contain calcium carbonate, which is toxic to pests and ants.
- To use eggshells, grind them up and sprinkle them around your garden or plant pots.
- When pests or ants come into contact with the eggshells, it damages their exoskeleton, leading to dehydration and death.
17. Use Borax
Borax is a natural pesticide that is highly effective against ants and pests. It can be used in various ways to keep your garden pest-free.
- To use borax, mix it with sugar and water to make a thick paste.
- Place the bait in a strategic location where ants frequent and watch them feed on the bait and die.
18. Use Beer
Beer is an excellent pesticide that can help keep pests and ants at bay. When mixed with water, it becomes sticky, making it difficult for pests and ants to access your garden.
- To use beer, mix it with water and place it in a shallow dish or bowl.
- Place the dish or bowl near the affected area and watch as the pests and ants are attracted to the sweet scent and drown in the mixture.
19. Use Cedarwood
Cedarwood is a natural pesticide that is highly effective against pests and ants. It has a strong scent that repels pests and ants, making it an excellent solution for keeping your garden pest-free.
- To use cedarwood, mix a few drops of cedarwood essential oil with water and put it in a spray bottle.
- Spray the mixture on your plants and the surrounding area to create an ant and pest-repelling barrier.
20. Use Companion Planting
Companion planting is a method of planting different crops together. This method is based on the concept that certain plants can help other plants grow better. In addition to this, it also helps to keep pests and ants at bay.
- Some plants that can be used for companion planting include marigolds, onions, chives, and garlic.
- By planting these crops together, you can help keep pests and ants at bay and promote healthy plant growth.
FAQs
Q. What are the benefits of using natural pest and ant repellents?
Using natural pest and ant repellents has numerous benefits. One, they are safe to use around children and pets since they do not contain harmful chemicals. Two, they are an eco-friendly way of controlling pests and ants. Three, they are effective and can save you money in the long run.
Q. Are natural pest and ant repellents effective?
Yes, natural pest and ant repellents are effective. While they may not work as fast as their chemical counterparts, they are just as effective in controlling pests and ants in your garden.
Q. Will natural pest and ant repellents harm my plants?
No, natural pest and ant repellents will not harm your plants. In fact, most of the natural pest and ant repellents listed here have been proven to be beneficial to plants, promoting healthy growth and development.
Q. Are there any downsides to using natural pest and ant repellents?
One of the downsides of using natural pest and ant repellents is that they may not work as fast as chemical pesticides. Also, you may need to apply them more often to achieve the desired result. However, these are just minor inconveniences compared to the benefits they offer.
Kesimpulan
Gardening is a wonderful pastime that can provide numerous benefits. However, pests and ants can make it a frustrating experience. Fortunately, there are many natural ways to keep your garden free from pests and ants. From using essential oils to companion planting, there are many ways to control pests and ants without using harmful chemicals. By using these methods, you can enjoy a beautiful, healthy garden without the worry of pests and ants.