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Butterfly Garden

Big Ants on Cassia

15 years ago

I have two Candlestick Cassias that are in large pots. They both have lots of Sulphur eggs on them and I have found quite a few small cats on the one and one large cat that has crawled off to make its chrysalis. I found it on my pergola the other day. When I just checked the Cassias, one had a bunch of large ants crawling all over the branches and up to the newest growth. I am not sure if they are getting the cats or the sap from the plant but what can I use to get rid of them. These guys bite! I have tried ant traps before but unfortunately my dogs got them and chewed them up. It didn't hurt my little girl pup but I was sure scared. Any ideas?

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Comments (5)

MissSherry
15 years ago
That's terrible that you have big ants, Mary - I get plenty of small ants on mine, never big ones.
I seem to remember CalSherry talking about Amdro for ants. I don't remember how she used it to kill the ants without killing the caterpillars, but maybe she'll see this thread and tell you.
Sherry
zebra_lover
15 years ago
Hi Mary,
You can get Amdro at Home Depot. Just spread it around the ant mound. The ants will take it down to the queen and it kills her. What about spraying a soap water solution on them.
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mboston_gw
Original Author
15 years ago
I did the soapy water thing right away. The ants ran then came right back up. I am sure they are going for the sap as I watched them this morning on the new growth that didn't have leaves on it yet. I will try the Amdro - we use it all the time on the mounds in the yard but I was afraid to try it where the butterflies come but then it will be on the soil surface, not the leaves.
susanlynne48
15 years ago
My problem is that I have yet to find the "mound". I find lots of ants, but the "mounds" could be quite some distance from the plants they love (especially the 'nectaries' on cassia).

Susan
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
15 years ago
If you use the Amdro, be sure to use a small amount so that the ants have time to take it away before your dogs find it. The bait will be quite tasty to pets and other non-target animals.

The good thing about these baits is that you don't really have to find the opening of a mound. It's the ants' job to find a food source and they'll travel quite far to do so. As a matter of fact, there is less chance of disturbing the nest if the bait is broadcast a distance away.

Be sure to use a fresh container of Amdro....it doesn't stay good very long (just a few months) after opening.

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