Ants Eating Strawberries: How to Protect Your Harvest?

It’s a beautiful morning, and as you step into your backyard to admire your strawberry plants, you see them: ants. They’re bustling about, seemingly engrossed in your juicy, sun-ripened strawberries.

You might wonder, “Do ants eat strawberries?” Absolutely, my friend, they do.

But, you can rest easy because there are several effective ways to reclaim your strawberry patch.

Do Ants Eat Strawberries?

Yes, indeed, ants love strawberries as much as we do! They’re attracted to the sweetness of the fruit, and once they find a ripe berry, they’ll call on their colony to join the feast. They can end up ruining a harvest, leaving strawberries pockmarked and unappetizing. So, you’ve got to stop this picnic before it begins. 

How to Get Rid of Ants on Strawberry Plants 

Alright, now we’re rolling up our sleeves and diving into the methods to save your strawberries. You’ll find that most of these methods are natural, safe, and don’t involve using harmful pesticides that could end up on your breakfast table. 

Soap 

First up, we’ve got soap – yes, regular old dish soap! Mix it with water to create a spray that disrupts ants’ body chemistry when it dries on them. Spray it around your strawberries, focusing on areas where you see ant activity.

Ant Repellant Plants

Did you know that some plants naturally repel ants? Planting them around your strawberries could create a protective barrier. Plants like mint, tansy, or lavender can send ants marching in the opposite direction. 

Diatomaceous Earth 

Here’s a big word that packs a punch: Diatomaceous Earth (DE). It’s a natural powder made from tiny fossilized aquatic organisms. When ants walk over DE, it sticks to their exoskeletons and dehydrates them. Sprinkle it around your plants, but remember, it needs to be reapplied after rain.

Herbal Tea 

Finally, certain herbal teas like mint or chamomile can repel ants. Brew strong tea, let it cool, and spray it around your strawberry plants. 

It might take a bit of trial and error to see what works best for your garden, but remember, the sweet taste of success (and strawberries!) will make it worth it. 

How to Prevent Ants on Strawberry Plants? 

Now that we’ve dealt with an ant infestation on your strawberry plants let’s make sure they don’t come back. Prevention is always better than cure, isn’t it? Several proactive measures can help keep ants at bay, preventing an infestation before it starts. Let’s check them out. 

Do Not Water Too Much 

Ants aren’t the best swimmers, they prefer dry conditions and are less likely to be attracted to a garden that’s consistently moist. Be sure to water your strawberries just enough to keep them happy without turning your garden into an ant paradise. 

Do Not Use Heavy Nitrogen Fertilizers 

This may surprise you, but the type of fertilizer you use can attract ants. Heavy nitrogen fertilizers promote the growth of aphids, tiny insects that produce a sweet substance called honeydew. And guess what? Ants love honeydew. So, opt for low-nitrogen or balanced fertilizers instead. 

Kill All the Ants 

This might sound a bit harsh, but it’s about the survival of your strawberries. If you spot any ants, get rid of them immediately before they can invite their friends over. You can squish them or use a low-toxicity ant spray. 

Change the Location of Strawberry Planting 

If all else fails, you may want to consider moving your strawberries to a new location. This can disrupt the ants’ trail to your plants and give you a fresh start. 

FAQs 

Alright, now let’s tackle a couple of frequently asked questions about ants on strawberry plants. These are the kinds of questions that keep gardeners up at night. 

Do Ants on Strawberries Pose Any Health Risks? 

Rest easy, my friend. While ants on your strawberries can be annoying and detrimental to your harvest, they generally do not pose any significant health risks to humans. If you find ants on your strawberries, simply wash them off before enjoying your fruit. 

Can Ants on Strawberries Spread Any Diseases or Bacteria? 

Ants can technically carry bacteria on their bodies, but the risk of them spreading diseases to humans through strawberries is extremely low. As always, it’s a good idea to wash your fruit thoroughly before eating it. 

In conclusion, dealing with ants eating strawberries can be frustrating, but with Pestweek’s caring and effective methods, you can protect your delicious harvest. Trust Pestweek to help you eliminate ant infestations and safeguard your strawberries. Say goodbye to ants ruining your strawberries and savor the sweet taste of success, thanks to Pestweek’s expert solutions.

Calina Mabel

Calina Mabel has over 15 years of experience in the field of journalism and communications. Currently, Calina Mabel is the Content Writer for categories such as Cockroach, Ants, Bed Bugs, Mosquito, Rodent, Termite, and Flies on Pestweek.com. She aims to build content for these categories with a focus on providing valuable and accessible information to readers, in order to create the world’s largest knowledge community about Pests.

All content written by Calina Mabel has been reviewed by Emily Carter.