Ask the Plant Doctor! Keeping ants away and indoor plants for your office

There are many plants that do well indoors. Photo: 123rf.com

Several safe and effective strategies are available to you to control ants in your garden. As a start, consider using borax, also known as boric acid, as an ant bait. In powdered form, borax can be mixed with sugar and water in equal proportions. Soak several cotton balls in this mixture, then place them in a shallow dish or open container, like a large bottle cap, and leave them in areas frequented by the ants. The ants will carry the bait back to their colony, exterminating the population.Secondly, you can apply Diatomaceous Earth (DE) to areas where you notice ant activity. Composed of microscopic aquatic organisms that have fossilised, DE is harmless to humans and pets, but is lethal to ants, as well as to snails and slugs. Its abrasive texture inflicts damage on the ants, leading to dehydration and subsequent death.

Thirdly, you can attempt to trace the ant trails back to their colony and pour hot boiling water into it. You might have to do this a few times to eliminate the ants and destroy their colony.