How to Get Rid of Ants in Your Raised Bed Garden
Everyone loves to spend time in nature, and we are no exception! There is a certain beauty in the enchanting plants and the process of helping them grow and develop. For people who are very keen on gardening and spending time in nature, nothing can crush that process. Well, almost nothing.
It is frustrating seeing that the garden can be easily infested with ants. Therefore, we suggest considering the following actionable steps if you have a raised bed garden. So join us as we explore different methods to steer clear of ants and remove them from the garden altogether.
Why do ants attack the garden?
Before we dive right into the solutions, let’s see why ants attack the garden in the first place. They are attracted to it for a few different reasons – the first one being food source. Your garden is the ultimate food source, and they find it delicious – it’s no wonder they’re sticking around! Another reason why they might be attracted to the garden is moisture. Gardens have plenty of moisture, and ants need water to survive. Finally, these little terminators see your garden as a shelter and a safe spot for them to thrive.
With this in mind, here are a few ways to get rid of them.
But before we begin, keep in mind that we are all nature lovers. We respect nature and want to nurture it, so the following are non-chemical ways to get rid of ants in raised garden beds.
How to get rid of ants in the garden
1. Keep the garden clean
We know this may sound a little strange – how are you supposed to keep a garden clean? Well, there are many ways you can do that. Remove the debris, the fallen fruits, and anything that might attract ants – even if you have a raised bed garden. Also, prune your plants – since overgrown plants can create the perfect hideout for the ant colonies. Additionally, we suggest keeping the garden tidy, not just to prevent ants but to promote the healthy growth of all your plants.
2. Encourage small predators
While this is an interesting natural pest control, it will most likely keep you occupied full-time. Think about it: nature has a way of keeping everything in check, and that rule applies to any predator, with ants being no exception. When you create a warm and welcoming environment in your garden, you encourage some ant predators, such as small lizards, spiders, ladybugs, frogs, birds, and more, to help you remove ants in raised garden bed. All you need to do is provide them with plants that attract them, shelter, and water, and you’re good to go!
3. Boil water
However, if you don’t wish to attract more insects just to get rid of the annoying ants, we have a less invasive approach. Therefore, one popular method is to naturally get rid of ant infestation in raised garden beds. Boiling water. Pour it directly onto the entrance of the ant nest and watch the magic. This method has proven to be quite effective over the years. However, there is a slight risk of damaging the roots of your plants with the boiling water so you need to be extremely careful.
4. Essential oils
Some gardeners (especially those who have a raised bed garden) have reserved this particular ant removal method. Essential oils are an excellent way to repel ants. Some oils, such as tea tree, citrus, and peppermint oil have a very strong scent, which ants find irritating. Mix about 15 drops of it with some water, add it to a spray bottle, and spray on the ant nests. To maximize the effectiveness, you can do this every other day.
5. Vinegar
We love it when people get creative each time they seek a natural pest control solution for a garden issue. Through our research process, we noticed that people also use vinegar instead of essential oils to get rid of ant infestation in raised garden beds. Apparently, the strong scent from the vinegar is a true repellent – live and learn, right? The only downside to this is that you need to be extremely cautious, for vinegar damages the plant.
6. Companion planting
We find this to be a very interesting and productive solution to the ants issue, whether you have a normal garden or a raised bed garden. This gardening technique includes planting certain plants together, and when combined, they act as natural ant repellers. Some of the most successful ant-repelling plants you can add to your garden include lavender, marigolds, and mint. All of them have a strong scent that keeps ants away. Here are some Companion Planting Guide For Raised Garden Beds. Check it Now!
7. Cover system
Last but not least, we present you with a raised garden bed cover system. It is so perfect; it acts like a bulletproof vest for your plants. It comes with an incredible arched frame and a net cover/PE cover. Suitable for 11"/17"/32" tall garden beds, this frame is something you install once and never have to worry about insects again. It covers the raised bed completely, making it impossible for any predators to power their way through. It keeps your plants safe and your garden fresh and healthy. We highly recommend this since it has worked for us so well!
How to get rid of termites on raised bed
There are two methods to consider for eliminating termites from garden beds: chemical and physical methods. The chemical method involves using potent insecticides, while the physical method skillfully repels termites without harming the organic environment of the bed. Here are some physical defenses to expel termites:
- Soapy Water: Dilute soapy water and spray it on the termite activity areas or around the garden bed. The effect of soapy water is short-lived, so repeat the process daily to maximize its repellent effect.
- Pepper Water: Boil cayenne pepper in water and let it steep to infuse the odor into the water. Once cooled, pour it around the plants. Termites are repelled by strong odors and will stay away from your garden beds. However, note that this method is only suitable for mature plants and not young ones.
- Onion Water: Chop fresh onions into small pieces and soak them in water for 24 hours. Water your plants with this solution every two days. Onion water acts as a natural insecticide, and with continuous use for about two applications, termites will gradually be eliminated.
If you choose to use an insecticide, select one specifically designed for termites and follow the instructions carefully to avoid harming the plants and the environment. When filling the garden beds, you can first lay a plastic film underneath to prevent termites from entering. Additionally, termites thrive in humid environments, so keeping the garden bed dry will help minimize their growth. Regularly clearing dead branches, leaves, and rotting wood from your garden beds will reduce the food sources for termites.
Conclusion
There you have it – with this, we conclude the best ways to keep ants away from the garden are the non-invasive ones. There is no need to spray chemicals all over your yard just to keep these funny little insects away. And for those of you who have a raised bed garden – we have the best solution! So whenever you’re dealing with such an issue, remember to come back here and look for more valuable solutions. If you liked this article, then keep on reading. You are bound to discover a whole new world of gardening info!
