Ant control

21 years ago

In my orchid collection I have just discovered a small collection of ants in the potting mix. can they damage the plant and what can I do to get rid of them?????

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

Liatris
21 years ago
Soak the whole pot in a bucket or sink of water and the ants will evacuate.

Pam
alisonoz_gw
21 years ago
Yes then check the plants to see if there's something attracting them like mealy bugs aphid or scale.
Related Discussions
Aeration and fire ant control
Q
Comments (9)
I used beneficial nematodes for ant control and hundreds of other types of bugs. Spraying molasses will drive ants to your next door neighbors. It probably works very well since ant mounds are always small and never seem to last long while my neighbors would have huge ant mounds and are there for a long time if done nothing. Do you have any grass at all? What did you do after you had done core aerating? It should be ONE TIME ONLY... core aerating followed by compost then keep up with quarterly feeding with soybean meal to keep the microbes from compost growing and improving the soil over time. In a few years, it should be much improved... as long as you stay away from chemical stuff. If you really want to improve the clay soil, you must practice organic meaning no synthetic chemicals of any kind at all that would ruin soil biology that is responsible for improving soil.
...See More
Organic ANT Control?
Q
Comments (34)
I don't know anything about the ants you have in Az. but I have dealt with fire ants here in Ga. for nearly 35 yrs. now. NOTHING kills them except fire ant poison. Boiling water make make them move but by the time it reaches the queen(s) area, it has already cooled. And just so some folks here know, fire ants have multiple inlets/outlets to one main mound. They have also adapted and now have more than one queen in most mounds...so killing THE queen doesn't work any longer. A mound can be as deep as 20'! The only thing I have found that works is FIRE ANT killer, not just regular ant killer. And even then if you continue to use the same chemical formula, they will become immune to it so you need to switch brands/formulas on a timely basis. Grits doesn't work, garlic doesn't work, boiling water doesn't work, swapping spadefulls of 2 mounds doesn't work...they are likely the same colony or at least related!
...See More
Ant Control --- Anything Effective?
Q
Comments (2)
About the only effective method I've ever found is to drop a large handful of sugar on the ant hill and water in thoroughly. It encourages bacterial and fungal growth, which the ants hate. However, it doesn't kill them, they just move somewhere else. Usually that's good enough for me, and I end up with ants in a location I don't care about. On the up side, ants are generally harmless and not terribly annoying (if not in the house, of course), and perform a very positive function by deeply aerating soils. My response to them is to ignore whenever possible as they don't damage the lawn or gardens in the slightest.
...See More
Need Help with Ant Control to Eliminate Scale, Mealybugs, etc.
Q
Comments (3)
The only way to eliminate scale is to treat for it - there is no natural control or predatory insect that will completely address the issue (although they can help). And the recommended method is with a horticultural oil applied at the appropriate timing of the life cycle of the scale organisms. Ants can be more easily deterred if you wrap the trunk in a sticky tape or something like Tanglefoot to keep them from climbing the tree. They are just after the honeydew or the sweet, sticky substance the scale excrete - if you control the scale you will also be controlling the ants.
...See More
jancol04
19 years ago
Is there any way to get rid of green ants apart from burning the branch and leaves. Some of my trees are just covered with them.
jancol04
19 years ago
Hi all
I am very pleased that I now have green ants under control thanks to the following recipe. To one medium can (170g)
of cat sardines (I just use canned Bilo cat food), add three drops only of frontline. Place it in jar with holed lid and tie to tree. This was done approx two months ago and no green ants. The dose needs to be repeated every few months but it certainly works. The ants take it back to the nest and it poisons them.
jancol
moreton
19 years ago
Hi Jancol,
shall try this one as now have good collection of one's that don't work, now 11, was that frontline for cat or dog or is it the same? Thanks Jancol.
Thanks Peter r
sterculias
18 years ago
Jancol,
Certainly try that out. Our place is wall to wall green ants.
One product I have found that does work and it is a Bayer pressure pack with a long tube to shove down into the ant nest.

On the humourous side your remedy is like using a certain horse wormer to get rid of flies. The flies land on the manure and the worming medicine kills the flies within a minute or so. Imagine using piles of manure around the BBQ to keep the flies away. LOL

Doug.
jancol04
18 years ago
Hi Peter
I used the frontline for dogs. Some time after the treatment I saw what I thought was some very bloated green ants and then they all disappeared.
Jan

Related Stories

By Mike Elgan

Manage lights, TV, refrigerators and more through your phone or tablet when the latest wireless technology rolls into all your home devices

Full Story

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Bid Bad Garden Bugs Goodbye and Usher In the Good

By Matt Kilburn

Give ants their marching orders and send mosquitoes moseying, while creating a garden that draws pollinators and helpful eaters

Full Story

SHOWERS Turn Your Shower Niche Into a Design Star

By Becky Harris

Clear glass surrounds have raised the design bar for details such as shampoo and soap shelves. Here are 4 standouts

Full Story

152

GARDENING GUIDES This Fly Is One of the Most Beneficial Insects Around

By Pollination Press LLC

Meet the syrphid fly, a colorful pollinator that also beats chemicals for controlling aphids and other garden pests

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES How to Switch to an Organic Landscape Plan

By Falon Mihalic

Ditch the chemicals for a naturally beautiful lawn and garden, using living fertilizers and other nontoxic treatments

Full Story

BUDGET DECORATING 9 Tricks to Boost Your Home’s Appeal for Less Than $400

By Propia Limited

Whether you’re redecorating or just doing a quick update, check out these ways to enhance your home on a budget

Full Story

COLOR Why My Son’s Room Will Be Red: An Expert Weighs In on Colors for Baby

By Jude Stewart

Historical facts, trend recaps and enthusiastic support for painting your nursery any darn color you like

Full Story

ARBOR DAY 8 Reasons to Plant a Great Tree

By June Scott Design

Beauty is its own reward, but the benefits of planting the right tree in the right place go way beyond looks

Full Story

BATHROOM DESIGN How to Choose Tile for a Steam Shower

By By Any Design Ltd.

In steamy quarters, tile needs to stand up to all that water and vapor in style. Here's how to get it right the first time

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Lessons in the Rewards of Selfless Gardening

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Let go of gardening for your own vision and watch the garden’s own true vision come forth

Full Story

Ant control

Comments (7)

Liatris

alisonoz_gw

Related Discussions

jancol04

jancol04

moreton

sterculias

jancol04

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US