How to Get Rid of Ant Nests in Potted Plants

Ants love to make homes in potted plants, drawn by the shelter and sweet secretions of other pests, like aphids. Although ants don’t actually do much harm to plants themselves, they’re still unwelcome house guests. Luckily, there are a number of solutions, both chemical and natural, to deploy against the tiny invaders and flush them out for good. We’ll show you how to use pesticides to fight an infestation, soak and repot your plant for a fresh start, and use common household items to deter any further insect visitors.

Things You Should Know

Add insecticides like permethrin or diatomaceous earth to your plant’s soil, or set ant traps armed with pesticides in or around the pot.
Submerge the pot in a mixture of water and dish soap for 15 minutes to flush out the ants.
Repot any plants with particularly stubborn or uncontrollable infestations, washing the pot with warm water and bleach, then adding fresh potting soil.
Deter ants with natural household items like essential oils, coffee grounds, or cinnamon, or set up a sticky trap around the base of the pot.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Using Insecticides and Baits

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1
Place ant bait near the plant to destroy the ant colony. Ants are drawn to the bait, which contains slow-acting insecticides contained in attractive sugars, oils, and proteins. Worker ants bring the poisonous food back to the colony and pass the harmful item directly to the mouths of other worker ants, larvae, and queens. As the poisonous bait is passed from ant to ant or ant to larvae, the colony slowly dwindles.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Insert an ant bait stick directly into the infested potted plant.
- Alternatively, fill a reusable bait station with the insecticide of your choice, such as Borax. Set it near the base of the plant and refill it as needed.^{[2]XTrustworthy SourceUniversity of California Integrated Pest Management ProgramResearch-based pest management program run by the University of California's Cooperative ExtensionGo to source}
- Before using ant baits, always read the label to ensure that it is safe to use around children and pets. Purchase baits that include one of the following active ingredients: hydramethylnon, fipronil, boric acid, or avermectin B.
- Do not bait traps with cyfluthrin or permethrin. These fast-attacking insecticides will kill the worker ant before it can reach the colony.^{[3]XTrustworthy SourceUniversity of California Integrated Pest Management ProgramResearch-based pest management program run by the University of California's Cooperative ExtensionGo to source}
2
Cover the topsoil with diatomaceous earth (DE). Diatomaceous earth is an organic, mineral-based insecticide that dries out insects that come into contact with it.^{[4]XResearch source} To apply DE safely, use a garden duster to distribute this chalk-like substance around the base and on the soil of the infested potted plant.^{[5]XResearch source} Within approximately 30 minutes of coming into contact with DE, the ants on the plant will die.
- This product is less effective when wet. Reapply this product after watering, rain, or heavy dew.
- Do not inhale this product, and use a mask when applying it. It’s non-toxic, but may irritate your throat or sinuses.
- Store the remaining product inside a sealed bag to limit your exposure to the product.
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3
Apply the insecticide permethrin to the soil. Mix liquid permethrin concentrate with water and spray it on the soil according to the package’s instructions. When ants eat or come into contact with permethrin, their nervous system is paralyzed and the pests die. Before applying permethrin to any potted plant, read the product instructions carefully. If administered improperly, this insecticide can cause harm to humans.^{[6]XTrustworthy SourceNational Pesticide Information CenterOrganization run by Oregon State University providing objective, science-based information about pests and pesticidesGo to source}
- If you, a family member, or pet ingest permethrin, call a doctor or vet immediately.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Submerging the Pot in Water

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1
Mix 1 US gal (3.8 L) of water with 1 cup (~0.24 L) of dish soap. If your potted plant is totally infested with tiny pests, flooding the soil with a water-soap solution will cause the ants to flee their nest. The ants that come into contact with the mild insecticide mixture will die or drown. To prepare the solution:^{[7]XResearch source}
- Fill a clean bucket with 1 US gal (3.8 L) of water. (If your potted plant is large, double or triple the amount of water).
- Stir in 1 cup (~0.24 L) of insecticidal soap, dish soap, or dish detergent per 1 US gal (3.8 L) of water.
First, fill a bucket or tub large enough for the pot to fit inside with half the mixture. Second, fill a small spray bottle with the solution—you will use this to spray any ants that might escape from the soil. Lastly, save the remaining solution in a measuring cup (or any other vessel) to pour through the infested plant's soil.^{[8]XResearch source}
3
Pour the set-aside mixture through the soil. Move the plant to a shady spot in your yard. Slowly pour the soap mixture you set aside in the measuring cup through the soil of the potted plant. Spray any ants that escape the potted plant with the mixture in the spray bottle. Let the soaked pot sit for 1 hour.^{[9]XResearch source}
- Insecticidal soap is mild and safe to use in organic gardens. These soaps contain specially formatted potassium fatty acids that kill insects on contact but are not harmful to humans or animals.
After pouring the solution through the soil, pick up the pot and submerge it in the bucket filled with soap solution. Let it sit in the solution for 15 minutes. Spray any ants that escape the potted plant with the soap mixture. Remove the potted plant from the solution and set it on the ground.^{[10]XResearch source}
Use a hose to drench the entire potted plant with clean water, until the water pools on the surface, and then some. The fresh water will flush out any remaining insecticide solution. Allow the plant and soil to dry completely before moving it to a sunny location or watering it again.^{[11]XResearch source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Repotting the Plant

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1
Remove the plant from its pot and rinse its roots with water. In order to eradicate an out-of-control ant colony, repot the plant to remove and replace the infested soil. Use a gardening trowel to carefully remove the plant from the pot. Throw away any soil remaining in the pot. Gently spray the roots with a hose to dislodge any ants or infested soil.
- This is a messy job—work in a spot that can get dirty and wet.^{[12]XResearch source}
After removing the infected soil from the pot, you need to sanitize the container. Thoroughly cleaning the pot will ensure that all traces of the infected soil are removed. Use a cloth or sponge to scrub the inside and outside of the pot with a 1:10 bleach to water solution, then rinse it with water.^{[13]XResearch source}
3
Replant the pot in fresh potting soil. Fill your pot ⅔ full with fresh, uninfected potting soil. Insert the plant into the clean soil and fill in any gaps with more dirt, covering the roots. When you have finished, water your plant thoroughly, until the soil is damp but not pooling.^{[14]XTrustworthy SourceUniversity of Georgia Cooperative ExtensionDivision of the University of Georgia focused on research and community educationGo to source}
- If the plant’s roots are getting too big for the pot, replant it in a pot that’s about 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) larger in diameter than the old pot.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using Natural Products

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Ants detest coffee grounds and will avoid them if they are able. Mix a handful of used grounds into the plant’s soil. Coffee grounds have the added benefit of providing nutrients to your plants’ roots!^{[15]XResearch source}
2
Spray clove, peppermint, or neem oil on the plants every few days. Many natural oils are effective insecticides and pest repellants. Mix several drops of oil with about 1 c (0.24 L) warm water, and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Then, thoroughly mist your plant, the soil, and the pot itself with the mixture every few days, until the infestation is gone. Continue spraying the soil and plant to prevent further infestations.^{[16]XResearch sourcewww.urbanorganicgardener.com/2011/11/how-to-deter-ants-from-your-garden-or-anywhere-using-coffee-grounds/}
- Other effective oils include citronella and lemongrass oil.
Make a barrier with household products like cinnamon or chili powder. If you are uncomfortable using insecticides, especially if you have pets or children, there are several items in your kitchen cupboards that can kill or deter ants. These items include baking soda, pepper, cinnamon, chili powder, and peppermint. Encircle the base of your potted plant with a narrow ring of one of these products.^{[17]XResearch source}
4
Create a non-toxic ant trap with contact paper. If you prefer not to use chemicals to kill the ants, you may set up a non-toxic sticky trap. Surround your plant with contact paper instead of ant bait. As the ants try to cross the contact paper, they will get stuck.^{[18]XTrustworthy SourceUniversity of California Division of Agriculture and Natural ResourcesExtension program of the University of California system devoted to educating and improving local communitiesGo to source}
- Cut out a ring of contact paper that fits tightly around the base of your potted plant. Separate the two layers and place the non-sticky side of the contact paper on the ground.
- Set your plant directly in the center of the contact paper ring (on top of the sticky side).
- Replace the sticky trap every week.

Expert Q&A

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Question
Will using a vinegar and water solution hurt a potted plant?
Andrew Carberry, MPH
Food Systems Expert
Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.
Andrew Carberry, MPH
Food Systems Expert
Expert Answer
Yes. Vinegar is highly acidic, so this would change the pH of your soil and could kill your plant.
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Can a mixture of cinnamon and tumeric powder kill ants and aphids in potted plants?
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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
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Cinnamon and turmeric powder are great repellents for soil-based pests, but they won't kill pests, or deter pests on the plant itself. Use a an essential oil spray, like peppermint, to deter pests above the soil.
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I have a strawberry plant in an old wheelbarrow, the ants have moved in and I believe are eating the strawberries. How can I get rid of the ants without hurting or poisoning the fruit?
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Spray some diluted liquid permethrin insecticide on the berries, or set stick baits in the soil. For more natural methods, spray the berries with peppermint essential oil, or mix coffee grounds into the soil
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Tips

Ants in potted plants is usually indicative of other pest problems, like aphids or mites.
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If your an problem persists, call a professional exterminator—the issue may be larger than just your potted plants.
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