Sintria, GREAT photo's! I can see that (slug type) critter would be a muncher for sure. I wish I was able to identify bugs better, I will often to google image searches when I see strange guys in the garden. Problem with killing them outright without knowing what they are is, many will do some limited damage as youths, but transform into the benificial garden helpers as adults. So, I really hesitate to do anything about bugs eating SOME plants unless they are going to wipe everything out, I hate boarers though and earwigs drive me insane:( Often too, the more "bad" bugs you get, the more preditors you attract. If there's little or no food source for the preds, like wasps etc, they just won't come to the garden and take a good chomp out the few that we do get (but the few that could eat the whole garden up) I "attempt" to work with nature when ever possible, and when it's starts to get me angry, I pull out my water gun and shoot me some bugs with soap and water, man that can feel GOOD (sort of ashamed to admit it:) I think you folks in the warmer climates have a lot more to deal with pest wise, then those of us in the colder climates with the harsher winters. I'm in Ottawa Canada. For the most part, I have made peace with bugs, so long as they only take a leaf or two. I had chunks taken out of my tomato's last year too and THAT I was cranky about, left with only half of each tomato for me! Now, squirrels are a different story, they are digging all over the place and not even looking to EAT the plants they distroy/dig up as they look for seeds and nuts, ARG!

Orange oil mixed with molasses and soap in enough water to drench the pot works every time its all I use in the garden. here's a link to the recipe and a little more information. Here is a link that might be useful: Organic fire ant control

Hi Cele, Did you manage to sort the ants problem? I also have the same problem but they are really tiny microscopic ants and get inside the calyx. I've noticed them creeping in at night and the early morning too. I sprayed garlic spray neem oil spray but they still manage to come around no matter how many I kill. I have been hand pollinating the flowers but the ovary just doesnt mature. I wonder if these microscopic ants are preventing seed formation.

The house has ants. We've had them in various rooms over the years. Seems we get rid of them in one room and they return in a different room. I followed the trail from the infested pot to the glass deck door where my setup is. Some of the plants were outside but have been inside since October and that particular phal has never been outside. In this case I believe my house gave my plant ants! I've had bait out for a month but I think I have to change brands. I was about to use orthene but the smell was too noxious for me so I sprayed with orange guard. The ants moved to a different pot! Grrr