Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú

Grow your own  permalink

Ant Problem

• Message 1. 

  Posted by mick (U13912352) on Wednesday, 5th May 2010

  Hi all , i have built a raised vegetable bed to make it easier to produce veggies , it is all planted up and growing away nicely apart from the fact that it seems to have a rather large amount of ants in it , my question is , will they do any harm to the crops and if so what is the best way to get rid of them without harming the crops in the bed
  
  
  mick

  Link to this forum: Ant Problem

  Report message1

• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Obelixx (U2157162) on Wednesday, 5th May 2010

  Ants make nests underground with tunnels and all sorts that leave plant roots hanging in mid air and not getting their full quota of water and nutrients. They also farm aphids for the sugary excretions which they feed to their young. This involves deliberately placing aphids on your plants and then defending them agaist predators such as lacewings and ladybirds.
  
  You can get rid of them permanently by using poisoned ant traps, available from supermarkets and garden stores, or you can simply let them live but make them move on by watering with a solution of essential oil of cloves. This comes in little bottles from pharmacists and health food stores. Use one bottle in a 10 litres of water, stir well and water over your raised bed. They can't stand the smell so move on elsewhere. Repeat at regular intervals to keep them off.

  Link to this forum: Ant Problem

  Report message2

• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by calculad (U3607616) on Wednesday, 5th May 2010

  Thanks for that tip. I have the same problem with ant infested pots.

  Link to this forum: Ant Problem

  Report message3

Back to top