How to Kill Ants That Live on Orange Trees

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Things You'll Need

  • Tape

  • Dry grits or cornmeal

  • Cucumber

  • Oranges

  • Plastic bag

Don't let ants be the only ones to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

With all the time and care it took to raise your orange trees, it's only fair that you should be able to reap the fruits of your labor. Instead, millions of tiny ants have also noticed what a great job you've done and moved in with everyone they know. Since outnumbering them isn't an option you'll need to employ some creative strategies to send these tiny trespassers hiking. There are several things you can do to send a clear message to ants that your orange tree isn't an all you can eat buffet.

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Step 1

Wrap tape around the trunk of the tree with the sticky side facing out. As ants attempt to traverse across it they will become stuck. Change out the tape occasionally to discard the ants.

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Step 2

Sprinkle dry cornmeal or grits around the base of the tree. Ants will think you've left them a treat and take this home to their queen who will eat it and die. When she's gone, the ants will move on to find a new home.

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Step 3

Slice cucumbers and place them around the base of the tree. Ants don't care for the smell and will steer clear of it.

Step 4

Locate their home and pour a pot of boiling water into it. Repeat this process as often as you would like. Eventually any surviving ants will get the picture and move, hopefully out of your yard where they will have to find another food source that isn't your orange tree.

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Step 5

Slice oranges in half and squeeze them gently to expel some of the juice and make them softer. Place the orange halves under the tree for the ants to easily find. Birds will swoop down and carry the oranges and ants away. If the birds aren't cooperating you can discard the orange halves yourself in a tightly sealed plastic bag.

Tip

Cut back any long branches so ants are forced to climb up the trunk of the tree where you can head them off at the pass with tape.

Warning

If you opt to use commercial products to kill the ants, be sure to read and follow the manufacturers’ instructions carefully. Many of these products are not safe for children or pets.

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