Ants!

This is the place to discuss not just allotments but all general gardening problems and queries which don't fit into the specific categories below.
(formerly allotments and tips, hints and problems)
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SouthernDave
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Ants!

Post: # 237264Post SouthernDave »

Sorry if in the wrong section...


Ants. We have a glut! How do I get rid of them? We have a small yard mainly block paved and we grow in pots and tubs. This year we seem to be deluged with ants nests in the block paving. I have tried the boiling water method and it works to a degree but they keep coming back. I am loathe to use chemicals and ant powder, so open to other suggestions. I may resort to lifting some of the blocks and digging the nests out before napalming again with hot water, unless you can think of something? Answers on a postcard to.....

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JulieSherris
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Re: Ants!

Post: # 237266Post JulieSherris »

Oooo, I'm hearing this one!! Right in the centre of the house where the hallway meets the back room & store room, we've been getting ants from under the skirting... not even near an outside wall.

I've been using Diatom, it's what I use for the chooks for mites, on the dogs for fleas, in the postbox for earwigs..... and yes, it works!
But, they did come back again after 10 days or so. I finally got some ant powder & popped a small amount down & over the following 3 days we had FOUR queen ants emerge!

But if you're just battling outside, I'd go with the diatom every week.... I get it direct from here www.diatomx.co.uk

Hope you manage to get on top of yours!
The more people I meet, the more I like my garden :wink:

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SouthernDave
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Re: Ants!

Post: # 239517Post SouthernDave »

Well I ended up taking up half our yard and digging out so many nests!! Boiling watered and ant-powdered the whole lot before raking and replacing the bricks. 24hrs later, new nests being built!!! AAGGGHHH! Will they ever go? I know they are in the garden such as it is but because its so small, it means whenever we go out they are everywhere. Today even after another gallon of boiling water, they are now flying and swarming because of the humidity. God I hate these little sods.

Someone suggested cayenne pepper? Any other ideas?

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SouthernDave
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Re: Ants!

Post: # 239518Post SouthernDave »

Well I ended up taking up half our yard and digging out so many nests!! Boiling watered and ant-powdered the whole lot before raking and replacing the bricks. 24hrs later, new nests being built!!! AAGGGHHH! Will they ever go? I know they are in the garden such as it is but because its so small, it means whenever we go out they are everywhere. Today even after another gallon of boiling water, they are now flying and swarming because of the humidity. God I hate these little sods.

Someone suggested cayenne pepper? Any other ideas?

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Marmalady
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Re: Ants!

Post: # 239540Post Marmalady »

Theres a lot of suggestions on this thread on a different forum i belong to:

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.ph ... 804.0.html

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Odsox
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Re: Ants!

Post: # 239580Post Odsox »

Apparently there are nematodes that clear ants.
I haven't tried it so can't comment on how effective it is, link here .. http://www.greengardener.co.uk/product. ... roduct=257
Tony

Disclaimer: I almost certainly haven't a clue what I'm talking about.

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snapdragon
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Re: Ants!

Post: # 239974Post snapdragon »

I'd water the area and try to keep it wet , they'll nest in the dry but not in wet ground. (possibly under the paving is nice and dry for them)

Mine have disppeared from under the block parking/drive paving since my bike had an oil leak, seems they don't like oil, nor petrol

For indoors I heard that people use baby powder (J&J type) to deter them
Say what you mean and be who you are, Those who mind don't matter, and those that matter don't mind
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SouthernDave
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Re: Ants!

Post: # 240001Post SouthernDave »

The other night it got very humid, so another three kettle loads when down the hatch followed by the hose for a while. In a couple of hours, we had to batten down the hatches as hundreds of flying ants swarmed from the nests. Since then it has been much quieter activity wise, so perhaps they took the hint! Been in the garden today and noticeably less numbers running about.

Thanks for the suggestions, perhaps just plain water is the best bet after all!

becks77
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Re: Ants!

Post: # 240085Post becks77 »

Hi Dave,
Same over our way, as a rule there is a lot of activity just before flying day which is usually around the 23rd July (I dont know why) but having sat indoors out of their way tonight I'd say this year the calender they are using is a bit off :wink: I use ant powder, chickens and keep the soil wet as SE isher suggested, I've also heard that talcum powder is a deterrent if they are looking to cross thresholds
best of luck
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