ants in the greenhouse

18 years ago

Help. I have several plants in the greenhouse that have ant beds in their pots. How do I kill the ants without killing my plants. Thanks for the info.

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Comments (7)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
18 years ago
Are they fire ants? How large are the containers? Do these plants live in the greenhouse all year, or did you bring them in there for the winter? Do these plants sit on the floor of the greenhouse? And is it a dirt floor?

You have several options but further information is needed.
tsmith2579
18 years ago
Go to a hardware store which sells insecticides. Buy Cygon. It is a systemic insecticide, so it is safe to mix and pour around your plants roots. It will kill the ants. I used it today. I watered everything in the greenhouse with it to control spider mites, plant lice and mealy bugs. I use it on tropical hibiscus all year long.

Terry
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Love your new benches. Did you build them yourself? The plant next to the fern is my neighbors avocado she started from a pit. Since I had plenty of room I offered to overwinter it in the greenhouse for her. It seems to like it since it is putting on new leaves. Next to that are cuttings from my Brugmansia that I potted up a few weeks ago. I don't know if you read the Brug forum, but there was a post about rooting Brug cuttings in water with an aerator so I tried it and was astonished with the success! They produced a mass of roots in just 5 weeks! This way of rooting greenwood cuttings succeeded way beyond my expectations. Without the aerator, which keeps the water from going stagnant, I usually end up with rot on some cuttings. Do you have problems with ants in your greenhouse? I had a horrible time with pharoh ants last winter & this summer. With a combination of Combat ant baits laid all around inside and painting lavender oil in all the cracks & crevices, they have been virtually no problem this year.
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The problem with using a product such as that is that you will not be addressing the source of the ants. You have to get the poison to the nest and the queen in order to get rid of your ants. I have had great success with the boric acid laced baits. Comes already mixed up and ready to place in various location where the ants travel. They will swarm on this sugary substance in a frenzy of activity! Alarming, really! But they take every bit back to the nest and pass it around to the whole crowd. The entire colony will be gone over night. I'll attach a link to the product so you can look it over. You should never use any aerosol product in a greenhouse without making certain that it can be used without causing damage to plants and to greenhouse glazing, whatever it is. There would be an information number to call on the container. But remember, using such a product will NOT end the ant problem. Here is a link that might be useful: Works on many kinds of ants!
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flowersrme
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks everyone. I have been so busy with the new grandbaby that I haven't been back online. Hey Terry how long does it take to kill them when you water. Is this something you also spray on your plants?
tsmith2579
18 years ago
Cygon can ne used as both a spray and as a ground soaking systemic. The ants in the ground will be dead within 24 - 48 hours if you pour the stuff on them. I warn you, this stuff stinks. It's like the Loudon Wainwright, III song from the 1970s. It smells like a Dead Skunk In The Middle Of The Road.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
18 years ago
Good grief! Cygon has been yanked off the market for ALL residential uses. It is a very hazardous product and has no use in the enclosed environmental whatsoever. TSmith, if you are smelling the stench of a chemical such as this, you are absorbing it into your system. Inhalation is a primary pathway into the mammalian body.

Good grief.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cygon withdrawal
tsmith2579
18 years ago
OMG, I love Cygon. Been using it for years. It is so good. Stinks to high heaven, but effective. What can I use to replace it. I better go down to Lowe's to see if they still have some in stock.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
18 years ago
LOL, Terry! So THAT'S what's wrong with you all this time! (Just kidding)

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ants in the greenhouse

Comments (7)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

tsmith2579

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flowersrme
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tsmith2579

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

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ants in the greenhouse

Comments (7)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

tsmith2579

Related Discussions

flowersrmeOriginal Author

tsmith2579

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

tsmith2579

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

flowersrme
Original Author