Topic: Red ants

[Orfy]

I have a small cotton lavender plant that has done nothing so far this year. It looked rather dead.
I've just pulled it up and it has a ants nest in its dried out roots. The ants are a  browny red clour.

Do you think that's what killed the plant? are the bad for the other plants and is there anything I need to do.


Hi, I'm a new member by the way. Dave in Warrington. You can see my garden here.

[Mrs Ava]

Hello there Orfy and welcome

The ants could well have caused the demise of your santolina.  If they built their nest around the roots of the plant, then the poor thing would have dried out thanks to the great big air pocket.  I guess this could be a problem for any small shrub.  Bl**dy things are doing nest building courses on my allotment at the moment!  Every time I start to weed, they are all over my hands and arms!  OUCH!!!!!!

[Orfy]

Thanks for the welcome.

Nothing I can do about them now. You got me all itchy thing about it now.
The were all scarpering about carrying eggs

[BAGGY]

Yes.  I would blame them.  But then I blame them for anything.  World famine, drought, inflation.  I HATE red ants.  They are pure evil.

[gunnerbee]

do what my hubby does, pour petrol on the nest and set them alight!!!

[BAGGY]

That's too good for 'em ! ;D

[Robert_Brenchley]

You can decimate ants with a little borax mixed with jam and set out as bait.

[Orfy]

 You can decimate ants with a little borax mixed with jam and set out as bait.


Not doggy friendly I presume....

[Robert_Brenchley]

No, but you can put it underneath something.

[BAGGY]

Would that kill the blackones too?  I've no gripe with them - they don't bite me

[Robert_Brenchley]

It'll kill anything. Don't mix it with honey or you'll kill your local bees.

[Doris_Pinks]

We used to do this overseas,(the borax thingy) used to put it in a jam jar, screw on the lid and punch holes in the top, big enough for the ants to get in, but small enough that no other creatures could.
 Also used to bait with tuna and borax because they used to say that you could have savoury as well as sweet ants! :o  (they seemed to like the tuna! ;D)
Oh and I am with you Baggy I hate them! They are all over my plot and the pain when they bite is incredible for one so small, my first aid kit in the car now carries anti itch bite cream!! >:(

[honeybee]

Ive got a prob with ants too.

Ive noticed a few in my lounge, not a lot, but its worrying.
A few days ago we had a new gas meter fitted on the outside of the house and since then we have noticed a few odd ants gathering alongside the rug.

What can i do?

Ive scrubbed the rub, just in case anything was attracting them and i cant see what might.

Its a mystery and i am frightened i might get hundreds  :o

[honeybee]

Ok i have had a good look and they seem to be coming in from the hallway where the pipes lead to the outdoor meter and then travelling into the lounge.

Should i put some ant powder down? ???

[Robert_Brenchley]

The best killers for indoors are the micropellet types that you spray; they'll last for three months or so. After we got married some so-and-so who apparently didn't like mixed-race marriages or black neighbours kept sticking cockroaches through the letterbox. I struggled to get rid of the horrible things for months until I lighted on one of these sprays and did all round the fridge - they like warm spots and congregated where the heat comes out. One spraying and they were gone in no time.

[BAGGY]

I think your 'friendly' neighbours need poisoning  >:(
That sort of behaviour makes my blood boil.

[Palustris]

Just a point about the effect of ants on plant roots, not only is the nest itself a problem drought wise, but the ants produce formic acid which plants definitely do not like. Even if you catch the plant before the thing dies, very often it will not survive because of the effect of the acid.

[redimp]

After we got married some so-and-so who apparently didn't like mixed-race marriages or black neighbours kept sticking thingyroaches through the letterbox.

Hopefully they will get their comeuppance one of these days.  The world can do with fewer people like that.

Redclanger - all for a multicultural Britain and a big NO to limited immigration!!