Ants in Potted Olive Trees on 5th Floor Balcony: Winged Queens Started Nest—Orange Oil or Boric Acid Bait

How They Got There

Winged reproductive ants flew/carried by wind to 5th floor, nested in pot. No ground trail needed.

Two Safe Treatments

1. Orange oil soil drench: Soak soil; kills ants fast. Flush thoroughly with water once ants gone.
2. Boric acid + sweetened condensed milk bait: Place in/around pot. Ants eat, die. Wear mask handling boric acid. Flush pot after.

Check for Aphids

Look up into canopy for aphids (ant food). If found, spray whole tree with horticultural oil weekly ×3.

Follow-Up

Report results; helps others in region.