Be Inspired Blog - Arizona
How to Protect Your Arizona Garden from Ants this Spring
As spring rolls into the greater Phoenix Metro area, ants start to emerge in full force. While some ants are simply a nuisance, others can become a serious problem by protecting and farming sap-sucking insects like aphids, scale, and mealybugs. These pests can damage your plants and create a sticky mess that attracts even more ant activity.
Understanding which plants are most susceptible to ant infestations and how to effectively prevent or control them can make a big difference in the health of your landscape and garden.
Plants Ants Love (or Love to Farm!)
Here are some of the most commonly affected plants in the Valley during spring and early summer:
Ornamentals:
- Hibiscus: Highly attractive to aphids, scale, and mealybugs.
- Oleander: Frequently plagued by scale insects.
- Lantana: Can harbor aphids and whiteflies.
- Bougainvillea: Commonly affected by mealybugs and scale.
- Roses: A favorite for aphids, which draw in ants.
- Camellias (when well-shaded): Susceptible to scale and aphids.
- Crape Myrtle: Produces lots of honeydew via aphids and scale.
- Jasmine and other flowering vines: Attract sap-suckers and ants.
Edible Plants:
- Citrus Trees: Aphids and scale are a common issue.
- Okra and Eggplant: Both attract aphids and whiteflies.
- Peppers and Tomatoes: Occasionally suffer from aphid infestations.
- Basil and Soft Herbs: Can draw aphids if overwatered or stressed.
How to Prevent and Deter Ants
- Keep Plants Healthy
Stressed plants are more vulnerable to sap-sucking insects. Ensure proper watering, light, and spacing. Avoid over-fertilizing, especially with nitrogen-heavy products that can encourage aphid outbreaks.
- Prune and Clean Regularly
Trim back dense or infested growth to reduce insect populations and discourage ants.
- Use Physical Barriers
- Sticky barriers can be wrapped around trunks or plant stems to block ants.
- Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the base of plants and beds to deter crawling insects.
- Natural Repellents
- Citrus or peppermint oil sprays can disrupt ant scent trails.
- Coffee grounds, cinnamon, or cayenne pepper sprinkled near entry points can help keep ants at bay.
How to Get Rid of Ants Once They're There
Step 1: Eliminate Their Friends
Target sap-sucking insects first:
- Use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil to remove aphids, scale, and mealybugs.
- Neem oil is a solid option but requires consistent application.
Step 2: Treat the Ants
- For ground nests or larger colonies, try granular ant bait. Place outside plant beds.
Step 3: Disrupt Scent Trails
Spray vinegar-water or citrus-based cleaners on walkways and planter edges to erase ant trails.
Products We Recommend to Deter, Repel or Eliminate Ants
- Captain Jack's Insecticidal Soap: This ready-to-use insecticidal soap spray kills insects on contact using plant-based potassium salts of fatty acids, making it ideal for houseplants, vegetables, fruits, and flowers. Approved for organic gardening and safe for use indoors or outdoors, it can be applied right up to the day of harvest.
- Captain Jack's Neem Max: This Ready-to-Use Spray is a powerful 4-in-1 solution that acts as an insecticide, fungicide, miticide, and nematicide, using cold-pressed neem oil to control pests and diseases at all life stages. Approved for organic gardening, it provides total plant protection for fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, and more—indoors and out—right up to the day of harvest.
- Captain Jack's Rose Rx: This 4-in-1 is a ready-to-use garden spray that works as a fungicide, insecticide, miticide, and nematicide to protect roses, flowers, edibles, and ornamentals. Approved for organic gardening, it kills pests at all life stages and prevents common diseases like powdery mildew and black spot—right up to the day of harvest.
- Captain Jack's Tomato & Vegetable: This ready-to-use spray offers dual protection by controlling a wide range of insects and fungal diseases on listed fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals. Ideal for use throughout the growing season, it tackles pests like aphids and whiteflies while preventing diseases such as blight and leaf spot—even up to the day of harvest.
- Eight Insect Control - Garden & Home: This ready-to-use water-based insect control spray kills over 130 listed pests on contact and is safe for use on vegetables, roses, lawns, trees, and over 60 ornamental varieties. Its non-staining formula and easy-to-use spray nozzle make protecting your outdoor plants and surfaces quick and convenient.
- Fruit, Citrus & Vegetable Insect Control: This powerful insect control product kills Asian Citrus Psyllids, aphids, whiteflies, and other listed pests while helping prevent new infestations. Safe for use on a wide range of fruits, nuts, vegetables, herbs, and berries, it treats up to 640 sq. ft. of vegetables or 9 fruit trees and can be applied throughout the growing season—spring, summer, and fall.
- Horticultural Oil: This insect spray by Monterey is approved for organic gardening and effectively kills common houseplant and garden pests like aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, and more. Safe for use on fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamentals—even up to the day of harvest—it provides year-round protection indoors and out.
- Hot Pepper Wax Animal Repellent: This ready-to-use animal repellent is made from hot cayenne pepper, designed to safely deter deer, rabbits, squirrels, and other pests from fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, and outdoor structures. Its long-lasting formula provides up to 4 weeks of protection, making your garden unappealing without harming the animals.
- Repels-All Animal Repellent: This ready-to-use, long-lasting spray safely deters over a dozen wild animal species—including deer, rabbits, squirrels, and raccoons—using natural scent-based ingredients. Safe for use around people and pets when applied as directed, it protects outdoor spaces like lawns, gardens, trees, and structures for up to 60 days.
- Revenge Granular Ant Bait: This ready-to-use granular insect killer provides fast-acting control, killing ants, fleas, ticks, and more within 24 hours. Designed for both interior and exterior use, its moisture-resistant bait attracts pests and targets colonies at the source—eliminating the queen for long-lasting protection.
- Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed: This dual-action concentrate kills listed insects and prevents new infestations for up to 12 months while providing a slow-release 2-1-1 fertilizer to nourish outdoor trees, shrubs, and containerized plants. With rainproof, systemic protection against pests like Emerald Ash Borers, Adelgids, and Japanese Beetles, it’s easy to apply—just measure, mix, and pour at the base with no spraying required.
Tips for Gardeners in the Valley of the Sun
- Check irrigation systems: Overwatering or leaks can attract ant colonies.
- Know your ants: Desert ants like harvester ants are more common in native landscapes and may need direct treatment with ant dust if they’re too close to high-traffic areas.
With the right approach, you can keep ants from taking over your desert garden this spring. Start with good plant care, tackle pest issues early, and use a combination of natural and targeted methods to protect your landscape.
Happy gardening!
