Red Ants?

[Fiona]

I have very kindly been re-directed to this section of the forum - so here is my question, apologies if you've already seen it but both me and my husband are suffering here.

Hello, I'm not totally new to this forum but this is my first posting.
I have lots of red ants (at least I think that's what they are) on my allotment and wondering if there is anything I can do to 'control' them.
Everytime I go there I come back with dozens of bites/stings which I have to take anti-histmines for - for days after. I'm quite sensitive to insect bites and stings and have to carry the tablets with me at all times because of this. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do to stop this happening other that wearing an all in one protective suit! Not practical and far too hot given the present weather.

[the.fee.fairy]

hiya, me again!

Try this thread too:

http://www.selfsufficientish.com/forum/ ... php?t=5600

its all about ants. Don't know how much if it will help you. I find that in my garden, the red and black ants live together (in SIMant, they kill each other, but there ya go!) so maybe try treating the red ones as these people are treating the black ones.

[Fiona]

Thanks again, I'll try anything - they are really a nightmare and last year I lost so much sleep because I was awake half the night scratching - they are so vicious and it takes about a week for the itch to subside! Not really sure that I can go through that again for weeks on end.

[the.fee.fairy]

Or....this might be a bit of a 'wild' thing to try...

Have a bath with a small amount of citronella, or lemongrass oil in it (or make up a spray...SMALL amount of citronela though.

Or you can get Badger Bug Balm which has Lemon, Citronell, Lemongrass and other yummy stuff in it. They hate the smell.

Have marmite for breakfast (and lucnh...and dinner...). Again, they hate the smell and apparently, it makes your blood taste horrible to them. I do know that Mosquitos hate marmite with a passion, and will actively fly away from you if you've consumed it

[Fiona]

I like the marmite option as I LOVE marmite, my only concern is that if it makes your blood taste 'marmitey' they'd have to bite you to know?
Still, I will definately try it tomorrow - and am going down armed with a bag of polenta, thankyou so much for the tips! (I'm still sufferingAm I a wimp or what?

Fiona

[the.fee.fairy]

o no, they can smell that marmite a mile off. luckily, we can't, so you're safe!!

marmite on toast...mmm...i'm hungry now!

[Fiona]

Marmite on toast for brekkie tomorrow then! Incidentally, and I'm going to show my complete ignorance here, the only citronella I have is the oil you burn in torches etc, is that what you mean or can I buy it in another form?

[the.fee.fairy]

Well...citronella.
You can buy it as essential oil (although, i'd recommend using lemongrass instead if you plan to bathe in it/make it a spray/put it on your skin UNLESS it is made into an insect repelleny by someone like Badger or Burts bees - they know the safe quantities).

Or, you can grow it. There were some seeds on ebay a while ago.

Growing it might be an idea. I don't know how hardy it is though. If it'll grow in the uk, then you might have solved your ant problem forever. If not, then grow some in the greenhouse and sprinlle spme flowers/leaves around the plot (i'm hoping that might work).

If you're going to the plot, then try taking some of the oil and lamp and burning it while you work. i don't know if it'll scare the ants away, but nothing else will come and bite you!

*warning: some people can have adverse reactions to citronella (which is why i prefer to use lemongrass) ranging from migraine to nausea, so try burning a little to check that you don't react first *

[Thomzo]

Hi Fiona
Welcome to the forum.

I know this won't help get rid of the ants but I have a couple of tips for the bites. I find that tea tree oil cream that you can get from wholefood shops is brilliant for taking the itchiness out of bites and stings. You do have to keep applying it but it should help you sleep.

I was also told, but haven't tried it, that doc leaves are good for ant bites. Ants secrete formic acid when they bite which is what causes the bite to hurt so an alkali will neutralise it. Doc leaves apparently contain very mild alkali so will counteract the acid.

Zoe

[Millymollymandy]

I sympathise because I have to take antihistamine as soon as I get bitten by a red ant because I am horribly allergic to them. Thankfully I don't usually find them in my veg patch though.

You do wear gloves don't you? Try not to kneel down either - that's usually when they get me, when I'm wearing shorts.