ANTS

[flatout]

Hay just doing some prep work on my garden bed for later in the year and have found a colony of ants living in it. Just the norm little black ones. Wondering if they will damage plants once planted ? Should I nuke um ?

 

[FresnoFarmer]

They actually aerate the soil. But they also farm aphids.

 

[mwooten102]

I prefer to kill any ants I come across. Put out those http://www.terro.com/ liquid ant bait stations. If you leave the dead bodies there the other ants will come and take them back to the colony and it generally will do a number on them. Once they get their aphid farm ob running they don't seem to be all that interested in the bait stations so I'd get them earlier rather than later.

 

[FresnoFarmer]

Terro Baits are the only things that have ever worked for me. I think they bring some of the bait back to the queen ant too. Some shit. They work though.

 

[Sparkticus]

I actually like ants in my garden...They're good predators, they don't eat plants and they serve as a good warning sign for infestations like scale. If they happen to build a colony at the base of the plant and are crowding roots, I just gently rake the soil and flood them. They move. I'm also in a place where there's going to be ants no matter what I do so, better to figure out how to coexist, haha. Coffee grounds works as a repellent for them as well.

 

[Choo]

We have fire ants and they are NOT desirable at all. We bait them at this time of year and that will eliminate them for 2 years. They are an invasive species from Brazil and do not belong here. They bite and make little pustules that look like zits.

 

[Sparkticus]

We have fire ants and they are NOT desirable at all. We bait them at this time of year and that will eliminate them for 2 years. They are an invasive species from Brazil and do not belong here. They bite and make little pustules that look like zits.

Fire ant bites hurt so bad. I don't have any of them in my garden though.

 

[Happygirl]

Thanks for the advice on ants I have mine in my garden with my plants and notice them under the pots when picked up!

 

[FresnoFarmer]

Ants have started farming root aphids in one of my greenhouses. Fuckin bastards. I hope they burn in hell.

 

[mhz]

Ants have started farming root aphids in one of my greenhouses. Fuckin bastards. I hope they burn in hell.

How can you tell?

 

[LIBERTYCHICKEN]

If ant's are a problem get to know boric acid , it's cheap and very effective and safe

2 tablespoons of sweet jelly with about ¼ teaspoon of boric acid powder , This mixture can be left out as is or to be made very effective, by rolling it into tiny tinny balls the ants can carry off

 

[FresnoFarmer]

How can you tell?

I literally see the ants following the aphids around. It looks like the ants are practically aphid taxis or some shit lol. The ants herd the aphids right up into my soil and right back down to there hide out. I guess ants protect the aphids from predatory insects so they can eat the aphids' sweet secretions. Fuck these ants homie. They all must die. Or move out. This is their last notice.

 

[FresnoFarmer]

If ant's are a problem get to know boric acid , it's cheap and very effective and safe

2 tablespoons of sweet jelly with about ¼ teaspoon of boric acid powder , This mixture can be left out as is or to be made very effective, by rolling it into tiny tinny balls the ants can carry off

I have used boric acid for roaches. Didn't think to use it on ants. Good idea.

 

[Urhighness88]

I have used boric acid for roaches. Didn't think to use it on ants. Good idea.

Is it safe for pets? I have a major.ant problem also but I have dogs that u have to worries about eating the poison.

 

[FresnoFarmer]

Is it safe for pets? I have a major.ant problem also but I have dogs that u have to worries about eating the poison.

Nope. Dont use it

 

[Urhighness88]

I may use inside the chain link fence.that should be OK right?

 

[FresnoFarmer]

Yes. Dont let your dogs in though