8 Plants That Repel Ants

Ants may be harmless to look at and you may not be able to imagine them destroying your prized plants but perhaps you should think again.

You might have gotten rid of mites, aphids and bugs but your garden is not yet that ultimately safe if the ants start niching on the soil bed.

In this article, you will learn how you can organically shoot off the ants that are chewing on your plants by giving you a rundown of the eight plants that repel them. So keep the insecticides because you won’t need them again.

Can ants pose harm to my garden?

This is basically the reason why we are writing this down; for you to know that ants do pose harm to your garden.

Plant stems especially those of flowering or fruit bearing plants in your garden attract ants because they have sweet saps. They usually feed on the stems of these plants and eventually killing them if left unattended. Other than that, ant attack on plants also allows other garden pests to also niche on the soil bed.

How can I control the infestation of ants in my potted plants or garden?

There are always insecticides or insecticidal soap or detergent that will be diluted in water but these are not organic and they may pose a threat to you in general, in the long term.

Organic solutions are not that hard to attain. One very basic way is to know and grow plants that naturally repel ants.

Aside from adding oxygen producers in your vicinity, these plants also have the ability to repel other insects like mosquitoes, spiders, mites and even roaches.

Plants that Repel Ants

And now it all boils down to what we are here for. What would be the plants that you could grow to repel ants? Here is a brief rundown of the plants that you could choose from to ward off those ants in your garden or potted plants once and for all.

1. Lemongrass

Well, it is one of the main sources of citronella so if it cannot repel ants and other insects, we don’t know what would.

It does not only mask the scent of edible plants for ants but it also completely desensitizes their ability to sense scent by blocking off their sense of smell. So plant the lemongrass strategically in your soil bed for best results.

2. Rosemary

It is not as minty as the mint but it sure is a potent ant repellent because it gives off a strong aroma when it is crushed which will mask the scent of edible plants that ants love to feed on.

It is also a go-to organic solution for other insects like mosquitoes, moths and even beetles.

3. Mint

Any variety of mint can repel ants to be honest because of its very strong smell. For better ant control solutions outdoors, plant mint around the soil bed or near the plants that are infested with ants.

For indoor solutions, clip off one mint leaf and hang it where the ants are niching.

4. Tansy

It is the flowers of this plant that ants hate. It has a quirky smell and a very bitter taste that is why it is not just ants that hate it, also other insects like mosquitoes, bugs and mites. It is most effective in outdoor ant control because it could grow really tall.

5. Cloves

This herb is often used for highly aromatic savory dishes because of its rich, strong scent. This is the reason why ants hate this plant though.

Its scent could overpower the scent of the food they will feast on. For outdoor ant control, you can cultivate it tropical climates with balanced humidity. For indoor ant control, all you have to do is crush and sprinkle it on the affected areas.

6. Wormwood

Ants hate the wormwood because it is super bitter. Aside from this, it also has a minty scent with the aroma of sage. The confusing smell and bitter taste guarantee that ants would not want to come near your soil bed if you plant these on their edges.

7. Feverfew

They are used as decorative plants because they look like small daisies but ants hate them because of their rich citrus scent.

Planting feverfew in the edges of the soil bed or around the garden will help you in outdoor ant control For potted plants, sprinkling a few crushed feverfews around the pot would be a good idea.

8. Pennyroyal

It also elicits minty scents which ants hate. It is commonly used as a treatment for respiratory diseases and also aids in breathing problems.

Its scent is too strong for the lurking ants that is why it is advised that instead of just planting it to avoid ant infestation, you can also crush it and dilute it in water to be poured in the affected area.