Ants In Potted Plants Outside. The soapy water will kill the ants, which can't get away because of the water in the saucer/tub. Although ants are a nuisance, they do not actually cause any harm to potted plants.
The most effective way of getting rid of ants in potted plants is a combination of baiting and using insecticidal soap. Fix that, and you’ll see them move house. Flush ants out of potting soil by immersing the pot in lukewarm water.
This is a sticky sweet excretion that ants find appealing.
Fire ants like to make nests in potted plants and hide in the plants' foliage. I'm afraid the poison i use to control ants (seven) might harm the plan. See, ants love the sweetness in cornmeal, but they can’t digest it. You can place large pots or a series of small pots.