Grow Your Own Magazine

Haven't had the lottie for long, so this is the first spring we have been planting things out. The whole patch seems to be covered with ants though, and I guess they are going to eat as many of the things we have planted as they can.

Do any of you more experienced guys have a solution for killing these flaming ants with something organic ??

Any help gratefully received.

Many thanks

GG

Don't worry GG, ants don't actually eat your crops. They cause damage by tunnelling beneath the roots, and also farm aphids on your crops (it's the aphids that cause the damage, not the ants). Ants hate disturbance, so regular cultivation will deter them.

Yo Grumpy. If you can find the nest, and save up a couple of gallons of urine in a bucket (your choice where and how) then pour the lot over the nest. They'll think they've been invaded by a colony 100 times their size and bog off.

If you do that GG I will not help with any more weeding
SS

Thanks Rusty Lady, Yo Norm !!, your advice is greatly appreciated. What is SS on about ??

I expect SS thinks your lottie might not be two savory for other workers after norms' ant solution.

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Paul

Hi GG and welcome to the Vine! Hope you sort your ant problem out soon.
Looking forward to reading your posts and finding out what you are up to on your lottie. I got mine at Christmas, so we can compare notes!
Bernie aka Dexterdog

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Appreciate the little things in life because one day you will realise they are the big things

Thanks Paulottie. you were right. With peeing on the compost to speed things up and now on the lottie to kill the ants I am wondering if it isn't just an excuse for men to use!!!

You're just marking your territory...

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You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
Max Ehrmann, Desiderata

blog: http://allyheebiejeebie.blogspot.com/ and my (basic!) page: http://www.allythegardener.co.uk/

I thought we were bad with flying ants. Flaming ants must cause a lot of problems

I don't think the urine trick is such a good idea for flying ants- imagine trying to explain it to your neighbour after a misdirected shot has doused them.

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Advertising is the rattling of a stick in a swill bucket. George Orwell
Paul

One of the problems with pests and bugs is how to keep them from attacking your chilli plants, without making it dangerous for you to eat the peppers later on. A possible solution is the use of plants that act as natural organic deterrents. When these are planted amongst your chilli peppers, they can afford some 'harmless' organic protection:

Pest Plant Repellent
Ants Mint, Tansy, Pennyroyal
Aphids Mint, Garlic, Chives, Coriander
Leaf Hopper Geranium, Petunia
Mice Onion
Slugs Rosemary, Wormwood
Spider Mites Onion, Garlic, Cloves, Chives
Thrips Marigolds
Whitefly Marigolds, Nasturtium

By Graeme Caselton

To find out more about chilli pests or any other chilli matter visit Chile Heads

"]http://www.50connect.co.uk/index.asp?main=http%3A//www.50connect.co.uk/50c/articlepages/Homeandgardens_index.asp%3Fsc%3Dvegetableandherbga rdens%26aID%3D4640"]

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