I've got an ant invasion in my succulent garden here in India, where temperatures are soaring to 40°C. The ants have made themselves at home in the soil and are crawling all over my succulent leaves. They've already taken out one of my Echeveria, and I'm desperate for a solution. I tried using neem oil, but it didn't work out at all—the succulent didn't survive the spray, and the ants returned after just a week. What can I do to get rid of them? Help!
3 Answers
Try using diatomaceous earth! It's inexpensive and non-toxic. It works by slicing through the ants' exoskeletons. You should notice a big drop in their numbers within a couple of days. Just make sure to apply it on a dry day and avoid using it on flowers or buds, as it can harm bees and other pollinators.
You might want to check for other pests because ants are often just farming them. They can be beneficial since they aerate the soil. However, if they're causing trouble, you need to tackle the pest issue first.
There's also ant killer powder you can find at grocery stores. Just make sure it won’t harm your succulents. You might want to check with the store or do a little research on the specific brand you consider using.