After months of blood, sweat and tears, it’s reasonable to become infuriated at hordes of ants feasting on the fruits of your labour.
As British gardeners prepare for the summer growing season, many have turned to natural methods to defend their plants from the thieving critters.
With chemical options increasingly limited due to environmental concerns, traditional remedies are experiencing a renaissance in gardens across the nation.
Gardening expert Tammy Sons recently shared her natural solutions for ant control with GB News.
Plenty of green thumbs have turned to natural methods to defend their plants from the thieving critters.
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"I respond to ants attempting to take my fruit and vegetables by using tried-and-true methods that always work," she explained.
Tammy recommends creating barriers with cinnamon or diatomaceous earth around vulnerable plants, which provides a "cost-effective and safe solution to deter ants".
For fruit trees specifically, Tammy advocates sticky barrier insect traps to prevent ants from accessing precious produce without resorting to harsh chemicals.
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Beyond these traditional barriers, Sons also shared her favourite unique approach to ant control that you can find in your fridge so it won't cost a penny.
"My favourite unique approach to keeping ants away from my garden beds involves spreading citrus peels and brewed coffee grounds around the area," she told GB News.
This method even serves a dual purpose, as Tammy explained that "ants dislike the particular scent which doubles as a fantastic method to recycle kitchen waste".
GB News has previously listed the most common kitchen waste that you are able to reuse and recycle to help your flowers and vegetables thrive.
Beyond these traditional barriers, Sons also shared her favourite unique approach to ant control that you even can find in your fridge
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"Your gardening space should welcome plant growth while remaining unattractive to ants. Adopting minimal lifestyle changes produces significant results with very little financial investment," Tammy added.
The Royal Horticultural Society backed a similar approach to natural pest management, advising: "As concerns for the health of the natural environment increase and as chemical management choices diminish, it's important to know how to deal with problems in other ways."
The experts added that the best way to keep plants in tip-top shape is by "good cultivation and sanitation" to prevent pesky pest problems.
