There are numerous ways to fight and drive away ants. Natural variants are sensible and environmentally friendly. This is especially true, but not only, when it comes to fruit or vegetables.
Why fight ants?
Fighting or driving away the insects in the garden does not seem sensible at first. After all, they remove some dead animals and windfalls. The problem, however, is that they also quite literally breed aphids. These give off so-called honeydew and suck out plants for it.
So it is not the ant itself that damages the plants, but it does contribute. Because the ant taps the honeydew and uses it as one of the most valuable sources of carbohydrates.
prevention
It is said that prevention is better than cure. This also applies to the ants in the raised bed. Those who pay close attention and take the appropriate measures in good time do not have to worry about fighting and driving them away. There are several ways to do this.
Baking powder on the raised bed
Baking soda is said to keep the insects away both in the house and in the garden. So drawing a border around the bed can help to keep the first foraging insects away. Alternatively, the powder can also be spread directly on the edge of the bed.
Keep the garden close to nature
Having at least one natural corner in the garden helps to preserve biodiversity. It is also worth finding useful animals
to attract. For example, the following factors are useful for this:- do without pesticides
- Spread birdseed all year round
- offer a large variety of plants
- Hang up nesting boxes
- Do not mow the lawn in one area
- Offer hiding places
- Set up bird baths
Note: You should also check the plants regularly and thoroughly for an infestation with aphids. With simple home remedies, you can get rid of these and thus also remove a source of food for the ant.
Create mixed cultures
So-called monocultures are generally more susceptible to pests and diseases. You should therefore combine different plants with similar requirements in terms of care and location. This means that neither parasites nor pathogens can simply spread and there is a higher level of protection. Ideally, you should use intensely scented herbs straight away, because these also have a deterrent effect.
Odors to drive away
Particularly intense smells not only have a deterrent effect on the ant, but also on other animals. These include:
- chili
- vinegar
- Fern fronds
- Cloves
- lavender
- mint
- thyme
- cinammon
- lemon
Tip: Associated plants
can be planted directly in the bed to drive away insects. Alternatively, you can use essential oils directly. Put this on the edge of the raised bed or apply the oil to a damp cloth and cover the ant route with it.Use predators
A natural and quick way of fighting is to bring predators into the raised bed or to attract them. The ants are thereby at least reduced in number or even completely deterred.
Ant lion
The ant lion is also known as the ant damsel and builds funnel-shaped tunnels in the substrate. The insects get into it like in quicksand and are eaten by the beetle here. Unfortunately, this natural predator cannot be bought and used directly. Loose and slightly sandy soil offers an ideal habitat.
Ladybug
Ladybugs are ideal predators and can destroy any unwanted ant. However, they eat the source of food, i.e. the aphids, and make the raised bed uninteresting. With grow kits available in specialist shops and online, they can be introduced into the bed in a targeted manner and are therefore particularly practical. You do not cause any damage to the plants or their fruits.
Nematodes
Nematodes are roundworms that feed on the eggs and larvae of other insects. If they don't find any more food, they slowly die. They can also be purchased online or in specialist shops. It is important, however, that they are incorporated directly into the ant nest in question.
Woodpeckers and other birds
Woodpeckers and other birds are wonderful predators. One woodpecker alone can eat between 3,000 and 5,000 of the insects every day. However, they cannot be bought. So other measures are required for use.
Bed bugs
Bugs also feed on ants, but are difficult to use in raised beds. However, a near-natural garden helps to maintain the natural balance.
Remove the ant nest
Ant nests are often found under pavement slabs or near stones. That can
become problematic, because the animals loosen the ground through their passages to such an extent that the plates become a stumbling block and begin to wobble. So it not only makes sense to keep the insects out of the raised bed, but can also give other reasons to drive them away.One possibility is to dig the nest. The following step by step guide shows how it works:
1. Find ant nest
The preferred places are sheltered, warm and relatively dry. The animals can be found under pavement or terrace slabs as well as under rotting wood or larger stones. If an ant road has formed up to the raised bed, it is sufficient to follow it to the beginning or to watch the animals on the way back.
2. Remove obstacles
If the nest is under slabs, stones or wood, these must first be removed. Wear sturdy gloves to avoid the painful defense reaction of the insects. As soon as the cover and with it the protection of the nest is removed, the ants get excited and begin to carry away the eggs and larvae. Due to chemical signals, it takes only a very short time for all members of the state to be put on alert. So just remove the cover and then leave the area.
3. Dig generously
Late in the evening or early in the morning, you can dig out the nest with a spade and place it in a suitable container. For example, a mason's soup or a plastic box with a lid can be used.
4. Relocate
Now move the excavated ant nest to a place from which the animals will not invade your garden again.
alternative
Alternatively, the nest can also be washed up. Let the water soak in slowly so that the animals have time to carry away eggs and larvae for example, offer upside-down flower pots or buckets filled with soil as Alternative option. First place this upside down directly on the nest. After a day or two, you can drag the vessel onto a spade or board, turn it over and set it up in a near-natural garden corner.
