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How to Get Rid of Ants in Cut Flowers
How to Get Rid of Ants in Cut Flowers. One of the reasons why homeowners grow flowers in their gardens is to cut them and bring them inside. However, ants often take up residence on the plants and hide on the petals and leaves, which come inside your home when you cut and put the flowers in a vase. Certain flowers seem to be bothered by ants more...
One of the reasons why homeowners grow flowers in their gardens is to cut them and bring them inside. However, ants often take up residence on the plants and hide on the petals and leaves, which come inside your home when you cut and put the flowers in a vase. Certain flowers seem to be bothered by ants more than others, such as peonies. Fortunately, you can remove the ants from your flowers and enjoy them inside your home.
Things You'll Need
Shower head
Bucket
Shake the flowers back and forth gently before bringing them inside. The ants will fall off the flowers as a result. Look in between the petals and at the undersides of the leaves and petals to ensure you removed all of the ants before bringing the flowers inside.
Turn the faucet in your bathroom on a gentle stream and hold the flowers underneath your shower head. The small streams of water coming out of the head will help to force the ants off of the flowers without harming the plant. Avoid turning the faucet onto a strong setting, as the water's force could damage the flowers. Move the flowers around while under the water to ensure the water reaches all of the areas where ants could hide.
Fill a bucket or bowl large enough to hold the flowers with water. Dunk the flowers inside the bucket and shake them gently back and forth to loosen the ants from the flowers and help them float off.
Tips & Warnings
Check your flowers for aphids if they are covered in ants. Ants are attracted to the honeydew-like excrement of aphids and are often found where the aphids live. Aphids are removed with tweezers or running the flowers under water.
