Grow Your Own Magazine

I have had some ants move into the greenhouse. Are they a help or a hindrance, and will they do any harm to the plants etc.

Definitely a hindrance! They don't eat plants, but they do undermine the roots, and also farm aphids which will harm your plants. Get rid!!

try sprinkling coffee around they hate it

Thanks Rustylady, remove i will, although I do have a solid paved floor. Its just a pain finding a little gathering of them on things left on the floor.

Well Hawthorns, coffee. Is that instant or ground? and do you use any particular brand?

Is it okay if I drink it first and just use the dregs? Will let you know how it goes - we get loads of ants, and I usually pour boiling water on the holes. That and the coffee will be interesting!

__________________
Manda.

"Wouldn't it be nice
For maybe an hour
To not have a care."

ground coffee granules. not used

Put down some cornflour it works in the same way as ant powder but is cheeper!!!

__________________
Imagination is everything, it is a preview of what is to become.

This is interesting as I have noticed some disturbance in my raised beds round the carrots which haven't yet appeared. I have also seen some ants.

I did put coffee grinds down a few days ago before I spoted the disturbance but the ants have increased - maybe they like the brand we use?!

janeyo

I've used boiling water with success on a small red ants nest. I've got gravel and slabs in the greenhouse so I can just pour it on.

but how does the cornflower kill them though *i just have images of ants thickening a leaf stew *

Is traditional ant powder harmfull to innocent beasties?

__________________
A bad days fishing is still better than a good day at work!
There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.

[quote=areia;204009]but how does the cornflower kill them though *i just have images of ants thickening a leaf stew *[/QU



Get Rid of Ants
Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it "home," can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works & you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!

__________________
Imagination is everything, it is a preview of what is to become.

I don't understand - is it cornflour or cornmeal????

It's cornmeal! Sorry for the confusion!

__________________
Imagination is everything, it is a preview of what is to become.