Gardening experts have shared the most effective and harmless way to get rid of ants and other insects by naming the three most common items people tend to overlook.
As relaxing as sitting in the gardens with a pint of beer can be, you might see some unwanted guests roaming around. In the UK, the ant is the most common insect. They can be spotted indoors and outdoors – especially during the summer months. Ants are attracted to food and moisture. Therefore, they’re commonly found in gardens looking for nutrients to survive.
Interestingly, searches for “how to get rid of ants without killing them” went up by 5,000% in May 2025, as the early summer taste led to the visit of unwanted guests taking over our garden spaces. But don’t worry, there’s a handy solution.
We’ve all been guilty of ignoring dead organic waste. However, as it piles up, it gives the green light for ants and other insects to roam around in search of food. Ants also tend to gather in high numbers, so it can be difficult to get rid of them once they take over your beautiful garden space.
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According to gardening expert James Higgins at Grass247, there are ways to get rid of ants naturally from your garden without harming them. One of them, and the most cost-effective, is to remove these three items immediately once they have been spotted. He said: “Ants are attracted to dead organic waste in our gardens, such as leaves, flowers and even twigs.”
Ants don’t exactly damage plants, but they can become an issue on lawns, and might also disturb plant roots in pots, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) also explained.
Therefore, it’s important to get rid of any organic waste to avoid these situations. By doing this, it can help deter ants, ensuring the area remains clean and free of any chances for their arrival. Plus, who likes a messy garden?
“So, if you’ve been doing any gardening, make sure you clean up any lingering waste and place it in a secure area, such as your garden waste bin or your garden compost,” James added.
By removing leaves, flowers and twigs, gardeners will ensure their garden spaces are less attractive to unwanted visitors. Although it might take some extra time and effort, it will also provide a safe and enjoyable space for yourself and other guests to spend some time outdoors soaking up all the sunlight we’ve been waiting for.
