Published on February 15, 2026
Ants on Plants: What They Mean and What to Do
Ants usually aren't eating your plant. They are farming other pests.
Key Takeaways
- Check soil moisture before watering.
- Look for signs of stress early.
- Consistency is key for recovery.
If you see a line of ants marching up your houseplant, don’t just kill the ants. Look closer.
The Ant-Aphid Alliance
Ants farm Aphids, Scale, and Mealybugs.
- The Pests suck plant sap and poop out sugar water (“Honeydew”).
- The Ants eat the honeydew.
- Protection: The ants protect the pests from predators (like ladybugs) to keep the sugar flowing.
The Solution
- Inspect: Find the real pest (Aphids/Scale) and treat that.
- Bait: Use ant bait stations near the pot (not in the soil) to kill the colony.
- Repot: If ants are nesting in the soil, flush the soil with water or repot completely.
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