We use a product called "Nolo Bait". It's available at our local nursery. It's a bit expensive though. I think "Gardens Alive" has it in their mail order catalog. It screws up their reproductive cycle. Nolo Bait has a short shelf life, so use it soon after you obtain it. just my 2 pesos worth, Junkmanme

Ken - I think I've got it now. What I'm looking for is -not- the RoundUp that comes pre-mixed in spray applicators at HD/Lowes/etc., but rather a concentrated form that I can put directly onto the cambian layer of the stump with a brush or bottle. Great idea about the ketchup/detergent bottle! Dibbit - I'll probably be using a lot of cardboard/newspaper in the areas where the ivy is currently running wild. I'd rather avoid plastic if possible. I've figured out that it is actually more effective to just get a good pair of gloves and pull the stuff up rather than going at it with a weed whacker or lawn mower. The soil underneath the ivy is the best soil on the entire property, I guess 20+ years of leaves falling from the trees and not getting raked will do that. Probably the same reason there are so many volunteer trees out there... rcnaylor - I'm keeping my fingers crossed that pulling rather than cutting will leave fewer repeat offenders to deal with. And I've already started scoping out sources for cardboard and mulch to bury the ones that do try to stick their heads back up. I'm lucky that the town actually runs a composting facility where homeowners can take all their yard waste and get as much compost and/or "wood chips" as they wish. Admittedly, the free stuff is not top quality, but I'll screen and use it rather than buy enough to cover 1/3 acre. Thanks again to all of you for the advice.

I use a product that contains d-limonene to spray all of my trees. It consists of pure citrus oil and breaks down the exoskeleton of scale, mealybugs, etc. A hard stream of water can be used to knock off the dead bugs. There are several brand names that sell this product, but I usually buy Safer. It can be found in the organic pest control section at Lowes. Good luck. GG

florah, Fire ant mounds usually are just that- large, flat-on-top mounds that have multiple small openings. Yes, the ants usually have some red on them and are not as fast as the native ants. The native ants can have some red on them too, but make volcano-shaped mounds with a larger, single opening. They are faster. They don't sting in any way. Once you see both types, then you will always recognize them. Hey, just send your DH out there at night. Tree, we truly are like-minded in more ways than I even imagined. Yes, such a pity to waste perfectly good resources. Especially when you can use the same to multi-task! Just went out to check the areas this morning, and the ants have gone away completely. Much better than Amdro, etc.