Billions of ants in my worm box!
sniffmeister
16 years ago
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squeeze
16 years agogardenfanatic2003
16 years agoRelated Discussions
Sowbugs like crazy, worms vanishing, ants moving in?
Comments (16)Kimmsr, where do you get this stuff? I know where I get mine. My sources (aside from years of experience) include Purdue and "The Complete Compost Gardening Guide" and a class I attended put on by our local solid waste management department. These critters are most certainly not a sign that the compost is too wet. As was mentioned, the sowbugs are found in high carbon environments. You know, like compost with oak leaves. Maybe that's why they are also called wood lice. They don't need lots of water. Your compost pile won't be hot on the outside, so you will find those, springtails, black soldier-fly larvae, etc. if you aren't a militant compost turner (which few of us are) and making sure the entire pile stays so hot it composts in less than a month. I turn mine like crazy in summer months to get compost for fall, but that's the only time I'm turning every three days at max. I still get compost and don't have bad smells. Worms will flee heat and you will find them in the outskirts of the bin if you haven't run them off with the fertilizer. They also flee vibration. So, if you turn the pile regularly they will flee. If it's a sign of too much water, then I wonder why my compost bin even had roly-polies and sowbugs during last year's drought. Jbclem, why do you try to make sure there are no sowbugs in your compost before you apply it to the garden? It's unnecessary and they will help break down any debris in the garden that would otherwise tie up some nitrogen. They have been known to hurt seedlings when no dead matter is left available (insects eat a lot they wouldn't normally eat if it means survival, which is why they will be around much longer than us) and if you want to avoid that you can spread the finished compost on a tarp or something in the sun and the put down a board. The bugs will migrate under the board within the day. You can also use bark off of firewood or some other woody substance. You can do the same thing in the garden, though. Don't want sowbugs to eat your plants? Then provide them with food like bark or a board and move them back to the compost where they do some good. If you want worms, then you are using the wrong method. There is a great book on worm composting called "worms eat my garbage" that I recommend. I have started using worms indoors to reduce trips to the compost bin in winter. It started out as a little science project with the kids. Now it might just replace my hot compost pile as it seems to be tons faster with less hassle. Turning compost can be back breaking work!...See MoreAnts in my pots. How do I kill 'em?
Comments (20)Hello Cath, Thanks..would you happen to know what ant eggs look like? Color, size? lol Well, aside from freezing, I'm okay..And you? How are you getting along? Cath, do you have Fish Emulsion on hand? I swear it kills Scale. Several years ago, the owner of Harris Citrus, Ruth and I were discussing citrus. She told me, the best way to 'prevent' and 'kill' scale was to add 1 cap of Fish Emulsion in a 16oz sprayer filled w/water. Not long after, I purchased an Olive tree, 'different online nursery.' It arrived by mail, delivered at night. I removed the tree from its box, and set in-between two citrus trees. Just so you know, I inspect plants religiously, usually while misting. For some reason I didn't get to the olive for days.. Then, while spraying, I noticed a brown bump on the olive's leaf. On closer inspection, there were a multitude of brown bumps everywhere, upper and lower leaves, stems..gross looking things..Scale. I recalled Ruth's suggestion about Fish Emulsion, made up a bottle. By the way, two neighboring citrus branches had scale up and down branches nearest the olive tree. All three plants were thoroughly sprayed. The next day, all signs of scale was gone..Every last one. I checked and rechecked all three plants. She also recommended to apply a second application a week after the first. I did as told. Cath, this happened, I believe, in 2000; never had a scale problem since. My plants are foliar sprayed w/FE twice a year. The second dose, in autumn, before plants are brought indoors. However, I must warn you, FE has a fishy smell that lingers 2-3 days. There is an odorless type, but I've never used it so don't know if it's truely odor-free. I'd rather deal with a little smell than Scale devouring my plants. lol. FE is organic, so it won't burn leaves..It's actually a fertilizer, but since organic, it doesn't burn roots either. Since I don't fertilize during winter months, I figure spraying in autumn is plants last meal of the year, and a scale preventative. If you dare, lol, try the FE. It can't hurt, right? I too can think of plenty adjectives regarding our weather but would get the boot from GW. lol.. Good luck..hope you rid those suckers..Toni...See MoreAnts on my potted orange tree
Comments (9)Hi ashley, It would take you quite a bit of time to read the container forum about soil composition and how small particles can clog up soil over a while, such as worm castings and coffee grinds, sand and so on. Why these are encouraged by many to keep out of pots. I would take a gander some time and see how soil works..It's awsome. But in the meantime, you need help now, and if this does work, the grinds in particular, then I would use it, if that is an only choise, better than nothing, only because you are armed with the knowledge to know what coffee grinds can do to your soil over time. So just keep and eye on your soil, and if you see that it is becoming compact, hard to water, or staying wet to long after the grinds decompose, just do a transplant with a better open and airy soil before the plant suffers. Catch it before this happens. By then, your ant problem just might be gone..:-) You armed with great info here, and you have alot of great choices do great advice from others. Just know your soil basics,and you will save future heartache for your special plants.. Know what to watch for, when it comes to your plants health declining, for almost always it is a root related do to compact soil and air space filled in with stuff usch as grinds, "over time". Goodluck.....let us know if you got rid of the ants You didn't hijack this thread, you only added to its character for the good. Your idea was great for anyone and everyone who know their soils well..:-)...See MoreAnts, Gnats, Slugs, Cut Worms -- Leaf Eaters
Comments (23)Moccasinlanding, Steve_mass, Gardenfanatic, i-like-to-grow, Hostared, Ken_Adrian and HostaHillbilly Thank you all for the interest and great advice. In continuing news ... the slug deterrent has been applied and although the Slugo Plus product was not available at Home Depot, I purchased the Ortho Bug-Geta-Plus and hope it is effective. The ammonia treatments start today when I head-out two-fisted with spray bottles. This part I won't mind as I walk around and check things every couple days anyway. Next .. A BIG 'OLE THANK YOU ... to Moccasinlanding and Steve for the nominations of what to plant that are semi-exotic and hardy. I am christening an entire new project "Member Selections" for your choices on my behalf. This will be in a pristine new area, under pines, with a wandering walkway and boulders. It may take months to complete but project is next up. I've included a link to some non-plain, healthy Baby Hosta that I do have (tags are long gone, so I apologize for not knowing their identities -- but I'll learn them as I seek out my knew Hosta suggestions by you). There is also a BEFORE photo of the Member Selections Hosta Garden that I'll be starting as a "Thanks" to you all. Stay tuned. Here is a link that might be useful: Photo Bucket Link to Baby Hosta Pics...See Morewfike
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7 years agoXtal in Central TX, zone 8b
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7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoXtal in Central TX, zone 8b
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