If in the ground, put the ant killing powder away from the plants, so top watering doesn't wet the powder. If in pots, bottom water the plants, and you want powder on the ground, around the pot mostly anyway.Thanks for all the information from everybody but what i want to know is what would happen when i put water on the soil,will it kill the concentration of the borax or will it kill the ants and the plant survive also.I'm looking for a soloution or anything to counter-act the ants out of my pots for good,i need help bad befor i get aphids...