If you have a garden, it’s completely normal to have ants all around. Of course, we don’t ever think about getting rid of them.
But these tiny creatures can become pretty mischievous and quickly find a way into your home. And we all know how hard it is to eliminate ants from a house.
So, how to prevent ant infestation? Well, we have to think about why they infested the garden in the first place. Believe it or not, one common yellow flower may be the culprit.
I’m sure you’ll be surprised after you read this:
Sunflowers Are True Magnets For Ants!
Yes, you read that right! These stunning sun-loving flowers are also adored by ants. The first reason why ants love sunflowers is because of their nectar-rich blooms.
Aphids also adore sunflowers and will leave honeydew behind, which attracts even more ants.
Interestingly, there are various sunflower varieties, and some of them produce extra nectar because they have more of the glands responsible for this magic juice.
Think of this amount of nectar as a jar of honey for bears. Yes, ants love nectar that much.
They’ll soon start munching on the sunflower leaves, leaving dozens of holes. This affects the appearance of your sunflower, but more importantly, it affects their overall health.
I mentioned earlier that aphids also love sunflowers, and you’ll frequently see them on the leaves.
Honestly, I wouldn’t have believed how many aphids can live on a single leaf if I didn’t have an infestation last year.
Before you know it, aphids and ants will become allies, and destroying your sunflowers will be one of the goals of their war.
But that’s not where the story ends. Once they’re done with sunflowers, they’ll move to other plants. Their final goal: wreak havoc on your entire garden!
Ants will attack grass, veggies, fruits, and other flowering plants before they find their way inside your home.
Call me dramatic, but that’s exactly what these creatures are capable of.
Here Are The Tried-And-True Tips For Getting Rid Of Ants On Sunflowers
If you’ve spotted ants on your sunflowers and they’re spreading too fast, here’s the first thing you can do.
You’ll need 2 tbsp of baking soda, 2 tbsp of dish soap, 2 cups of apple cider vinegar, and some water. Once you mix everything together, pour it into a spray bottle.
When spraying your sunflowers, don’t forget the leaves and undersides.
If this method doesn’t help you, your next step is to make boric acid baits.
First, take something sugary, such as jelly or peanut butter, and ¼ tsp of boric acid. Put the mixture in a jar, close it, and make a few holes in the lid.
You can increase the amount of boric acid if there are still too many ants after a few days. But make sure you keep it out of reach of small children and pets.
Ants are beneficial creatures and there’s nothing wrong with having them in your yard. But large colonies of ants are a whole different story. If you face an infestation, take a close look at your sunflowers! They may be the reason for a sudden ant invasion!