What can I do about small ants???

Plaz · July 12, 2007

I have 5 tomato plants and I've notice that I'm starting to get a minor ant problem on one of them. I notice them crawling on the plant and a couple of the tomatoes have holes in them. I'm not 100% sure the ants made the holes, but do know that they were inside the tomatoes (both ripe and green ones). So far I haven't used any insecticides but I'm not against using them. Can anyone make any suggestions? The ants are the tiny black ants that you see on sidewalks walking in a line from time to time.

Thanks!

**mdvpc** · July 12, 2007

Plaz-I use diatomaceous earth-its an organic method and will take care of your ants-I use it with a dustin mizer that very lightly coats the plant and surrounding area-dont get it wet-in a day or two it will greatly reduce your ant population-they are bad, cause they bring aphids-it also works on aphids. I use a dust of de and pyrethrin sometimes together.

google the subject and you can read about it-but here is some info from one website:

Diatomaceous Earth (DE) consist of the sedimentary deposits formed from the skeletal remains of a class of algae (Bacillariophyceae) that occurs in both salt and fresh water and in soil. These remains form diatomite, an almost pure silica that is ground into an abrasive dust. When the tiny razor-sharp particles come in contact with an insect, they cause many tiny abrasions, resulting in loss of body fluids. DE is the secondary ingredient in a variety of insecticides. DE being a natural product is harmless to mammals and birds and is digestible by earthworms.

Grub · July 13, 2007

I agree... good stuff... just wear a mask as the fine particles make me cough. Otherwise, very useful combo, even if your plants will look like they are covered in dust.

**mdvpc** · July 13, 2007

Grub-Glad you put that in-I should have. I use a mask and glasses-the de I buy has directions to do that.

July 12, 2007	#1
Plaz Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2007 Location: SC Posts: 18	What can I do about small ants??? I have 5 tomato plants and I've notice that I'm starting to get a minor ant problem on one of them. I notice them crawling on the plant and a couple of the tomatoes have holes in them. I'm not 100% sure the ants made the holes, but do know that they were inside the tomatoes (both ripe and green ones). So far I haven't used any insecticides but I'm not against using them. Can anyone make any suggestions? The ants are the tiny black ants that you see on sidewalks walking in a line from time to time. Thanks!

July 12, 2007	#2
mdvpc Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 4,386	Plaz-I use diatomaceous earth-its an organic method and will take care of your ants-I use it with a dustin mizer that very lightly coats the plant and surrounding area-dont get it wet-in a day or two it will greatly reduce your ant population-they are bad, cause they bring aphids-it also works on aphids. I use a dust of de and pyrethrin sometimes together. google the subject and you can read about it-but here is some info from one website: Diatomaceous Earth (DE) consist of the sedimentary deposits formed from the skeletal remains of a class of algae (Bacillariophyceae) that occurs in both salt and fresh water and in soil. These remains form diatomite, an almost pure silica that is ground into an abrasive dust. When the tiny razor-sharp particles come in contact with an insect, they cause many tiny abrasions, resulting in loss of body fluids. DE is the secondary ingredient in a variety of insecticides. DE being a natural product is harmless to mammals and birds and is digestible by earthworms. __________________ Michael

July 13, 2007	#4
mdvpc Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 4,386	Grub-Glad you put that in-I should have. I use a mask and glasses-the de I buy has directions to do that. __________________ Michael

July 13, 2007	#3
Grub Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,722	I agree... good stuff... just wear a mask as the fine particles make me cough. Otherwise, very useful combo, even if your plants will look like they are covered in dust.