torganic, the ants are destroying my dry-laid brick paver patio, so yes they are bothering me. I have read that I can mix boric acid with tuna or cat food and put it in a jar with holes punched in the lid. The ants will take some of it to the colony to feed them and that will get rid of the colony. Has anyone tried this? These are the Argentine Ants, that eat protein, like dead bugs and lizards. puzzlefan, thanks for the info, I will check it out.

Thanks to all responses. I am brand new on the Butterfly Garden Forum, so please bear with me while I learn the system. Thanks to runmead & christie for the Terro suggestion. I will look for it. Also like the Gain detergent idea from organic kitten--sounds like it's worth a try also. Elisabeth: Great input and good info on the Senna. I occasionally do raise some of the eggs to chrysalis/butterflies. I make butterfly garden "hatching jars" for the children at my grandson's school. WE do butterfly garden walks (my garden) during the spring. My sennas and casias are also covered with eggs & cats. I really need to prune, in prep. for the storms heading our way, but can't do it while there are so many new babies. Rhizo 1: My problem ants are mostly very tiny or little larger black ones. No fire ants on my host plants. Siam: My best nectar plants are the fire bush, jathropa, cosmos (re-seeds itself every year and can reach a height of 8+ feet during the summer), native floss flower (ageratum?)-- please excuse my lack of proper names--spanish needle, & pentas. Host plants: scarlet milkweek, several varities of the passion vine--one a native that comes up by itself in my garden, key lime & calamondin, cassias & sennas. I also plant parsley, dill & rue. Oh yes, I have a large Dutchman's Pipe that the Gold rimmed swollowtail loves. Maybe some spider problems on this. During our winter/spring growing season I plant nasturshims and have collards in my vegetable garden. I would be interested in what you grow and what butterflies we might have in common. Thanks again to all responses.

Found a homemade Horticultural Glue recipe on an Australian forum. I have not tried it yet. I cannot buy Horticultural Glue on the island - just not available. If anyone knows about using axle grease on the trunk of trees, can you please let me know if I can put the grease directly on the bark? Homemade Horticultural Glue Recipe Basic Waterproof Glue 6 tbsp water 2 packets unflavored gelatin (1/2 oz.) 2 tbsp white vinegar 2 tsp glycerine Bring water to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in gelatin until it is dissolved. Add vinegar and glycerin and stir well. Let the mixture cool slightly and pour into a jar and seal tightly. To Use: This glue is best applied while warm. Apply to surfaces using a brush. Glue will gel after a few days. To re-use, warm by placing the jar in a pan of hot water. I think that the rain will just wash this away in no time at all. But I will try it once the dry season has started.

Hi Marnie, What can I say like well Ants are everywhere, and while they are there at least you know you dont have termites, but they are a jolly nuisance all the same. And yes I know what it is like to see them come into your house by the thousands go up the wall and walk all around your cornices to come down again and go out through the front of your house somewhere, beats me why they didn't walk over the garden to the front, or under the house, it would have been a lot quicker. Now we are talking brand new house here 5 years ago, hubby and I built it ourselves and while we were building it I said to hubby look at all those ants coming up the bearers, then when we put the joists in same thing, by time we put the frame up the wall studs were alive with the blighters so you can imagine our surprise one day when we go to the block to start work to find none there at all, why because it rained. And I have noticed over the past few years since we have lived here, when it is real dry they come in looking for water, I used to find them in the bath, sinks and even in the toilet cisten, then when it rained really heavy the same thing happened. This year we have had none so far, in the dry or wet but that could be because I have put down those Bait Stations where they go in and take some of it back to the nest and feed Her Majesty and she dies. About two months ago I layed the Bait Stations again when I seen them come in and I seen them go but they have not returned.I cant believe it as there are thousands in the Garden and if you can put up with them out there, let them be after all its their back yard too. But in the house well thats a different matter and I think its best they are not there.....Cheers..MM.