Ant-Pest Relationship

• Ants have a mutual relationship with honeydew-producing insects. These include aphids, whiteflies, soft scale and mealybugs. The relationship between ants and these insects starts with the ants defending these insects from any type of predator or parasite. In return for this defense, the insects produce a sweet-nectar food source for the ants called honeydew. The ants use their legs to encourage insects to produce more honeydew. This activity is called "milking."
  
  

Organic Ant Control

• To control ants, you must remove their food source. This means that the insect that is producing the honeydew must be removed. This can be done by releasing parasitic insects that feed on honeydew-producing insects. These include lady beetles, parasitic wasps, lacewings and syrphid flies.
  
  

Outdoor Container Maintenance

• The easiest solution to the problem of ants and honeydew-producing insects is to spray both off with water. Although ants can carry aphids that have been dislodged back onto plants, frequent spraying reduces this activity.
  
  Another approach is to repel the ants. This can be done by making a spray out of water and citrus peel or mixing 60 drops of lemon tea tree oil with water in a spray bottle. Spray the soil and the plant with this spray. Other substances can be placed around or on top of the soil in the container. Baby powder can be sprinkled on the edges and around the container to repel ants. Cinnamon, black pepper or diatomaceous earth can be sprinkled on the top of the soil in the container.
  
  

Bringing Containers Indoors

• No one wants to bring ants inside with houseplants. To prevent this, place the container in a tub of lukewarm water for 15 minutes. This is enough time to drive any insects out of the soil. To conquer those on the plant, spray the plant with water or window cleaner. For water to be effective, it must be a powerful burst that dislodges the ants from the plant. To do this, use an adjustable power nozzle to spray the plants down. The power of the water will kill some of the ants. Any ants that remain can be killed by spraying them with window cleaner.