How to deal with Ants?

My Foot Smells · April 6, 2016

Time to deal with several container plants, but have had a problem with ants both past and present. Some edibles in containers, so concerned about toxins in some.

My lime tree has a steady stream of ants working the tree over in a big ceramic pot, as I have to store for the winter (otherwise would put in ground). Somedays I think there is a big nest in the rootball.

Thinking about taking the tree out of the container and working it over. I've tried ant bait and sprinkle a little 7 dust, but hasn't worked.

Figure this is a common problem, hopefully with a common solution. Bulbs often times get eaten by ants.

Ants are the small black variety. Not fire ants (been there).

(I was also reading that ants protect aphids).

Any help would be appreciated. Figure best to ask before I tackle some of these large containers this week.

They don't bother rosemary or woody plants.

I don't know exactly what is happening with the lime tree, but they march out to the branches to get "something" and then head back down in the dirt.

clkeiper · April 6, 2016

Look for aphids on the tree. Give it a good over all with soapy water to kill them if they are there. Ants usually indicate aphids AND they will attack you "farming" the aphids for the sugar they secrete.

My Foot Smells · April 6, 2016

I did not see any aphids or other bugs when I looked it over Monday. I am not a citrus farmer, but also have an in ground peach tree that gets ants.

Maybe the citrus attracks ants???

zeuspaul · April 6, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by My Foot Smells

Maybe the citrus attracks ants???

The ants attack my citrus, mostly by bringing aphids that destroy all new growth. DE applied to the mound helps reduce the crowd but I have not been able to eliminate them in the ground under the trees.

For containers I would try to drown the ants.

Cole_Robbie · April 6, 2016

borax?

My Foot Smells · April 6, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeuspaul

The ants attack my citrus, mostly by bringing aphids that destroy all new growth. DE applied to the mound helps reduce the crowd but I have not been able to eliminate them in the ground under the trees.

For containers I would try to drown the ants.

That's my usual M.O., is giving the ants the water treatment.

IDNK that ants brought aphids to the party (I envision body surfing at rock concert). If the plants are outside and your livelihood is living on a leaf, you better have a good grip round here. I found a piece of trash from Oklahoma in my yard after the last storm.

My Foot Smells · April 6, 2016

have never tried borax.

Cole_Robbie · April 6, 2016

I think Taro ant poison is just borax in corn syrup.

My Foot Smells · April 6, 2016

you would think there would be some kind of tree collar you could just Velcro around the trunk to rid.

clkeiper · April 6, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by My Foot Smells

you would think there would be some kind of tree collar you could just Velcro around the trunk to rid.

Actually, there is a product you could use called tanglefoot. it is used in orchards on the trunks of trees to "catch" crawly pests.

My Foot Smells · April 6, 2016

has anyone ever tried it? seems like you could just "juice" up some tape.

Starlight · April 6, 2016

I use Sunflower enriched Quick Grits. I have to many beneficials and don't want harsh poisons around my food. I just sprinkle I good amount on the top of the soil and let the ants eat the heck out of it. Once most of it is gone, usually in a few hours, then I water the heck out of the pots.

Huge nests, sometimes it takes a couple of treatments. I have used the grits for many years and always got rid of my ants. It's cheap too. Usually 50 cent to about a buck a box.

My Foot Smells · April 6, 2016

Then the ants explode? Like the option. thx

efisakov · April 6, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeuspaul

The ants attack my citrus, mostly by bringing aphids that destroy all new growth. DE applied to the mound helps reduce the crowd but I have not been able to eliminate them in the ground under the trees.

I use Diatomaceous Earth/DE as well. It does not eliminate them but at least brings under control.
Two years in a row they were killing my peonies bulbs. I could not understand why the small bulbs were getting all sticky and then just dry. Had to use magnify glass to see what was going on.

DE is not poisonous.

bower · April 6, 2016

Great idea with the Grits! I'd like to see that.

One thing I discovered about the ant baits, yes they are all made with boric acid, but different kind of bait mixed in, must be, because different types will appeal to different kinds of ants.
I used two different ones "Ant B Gone" and "Ant B Gone Max" and one was ignored by the carpenter ants, the other one they couldn't get enough of it.
Then I got a "Wilson" brand with the very picture on it of the half black-half red ants- and sure enough it controlled those ones.

I'm not sure what bait is best for those aphid tending ants.. I may have to find out.
Just can't wait for the ants to wake up here and start doing scary things.

April 6, 2016	#1
My Foot Smells Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Pulaski County, Arkansas Posts: 1,239	How to deal with Ants? Time to deal with several container plants, but have had a problem with ants both past and present. Some edibles in containers, so concerned about toxins in some. My lime tree has a steady stream of ants working the tree over in a big ceramic pot, as I have to store for the winter (otherwise would put in ground). Somedays I think there is a big nest in the rootball. Thinking about taking the tree out of the container and working it over. I've tried ant bait and sprinkle a little 7 dust, but hasn't worked. Figure this is a common problem, hopefully with a common solution. Bulbs often times get eaten by ants. Ants are the small black variety. Not fire ants (been there). (I was also reading that ants protect aphids). Any help would be appreciated. Figure best to ask before I tackle some of these large containers this week. They don't bother rosemary or woody plants. I don't know exactly what is happening with the lime tree, but they march out to the branches to get "something" and then head back down in the dirt.

April 6, 2016	#2
clkeiper Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ohio Posts: 4,350	Look for aphids on the tree. Give it a good over all with soapy water to kill them if they are there. Ants usually indicate aphids AND they will attack you "farming" the aphids for the sugar they secrete. __________________ carolyn k

April 6, 2016	#5
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	borax?

April 6, 2016	#12
Starlight Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: AL Posts: 1,993	I use Sunflower enriched Quick Grits. I have to many beneficials and don't want harsh poisons around my food. I just sprinkle I good amount on the top of the soil and let the ants eat the heck out of it. Once most of it is gone, usually in a few hours, then I water the heck out of the pots. Huge nests, sometimes it takes a couple of treatments. I have used the grits for many years and always got rid of my ants. It's cheap too. Usually 50 cent to about a buck a box.

April 6, 2016	#15
bower Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Newfoundland, Canada Posts: 6,794	Great idea with the Grits! I'd like to see that. One thing I discovered about the ant baits, yes they are all made with boric acid, but different kind of bait mixed in, must be, because different types will appeal to different kinds of ants. I used two different ones "Ant B Gone" and "Ant B Gone Max" and one was ignored by the carpenter ants, the other one they couldn't get enough of it. Then I got a "Wilson" brand with the very picture on it of the half black-half red ants- and sure enough it controlled those ones. I'm not sure what bait is best for those aphid tending ants.. I may have to find out. Just can't wait for the ants to wake up here and start doing scary things.