Do ants eat plants?

Started by emmy1978, May 23, 2007, 21:54:09

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emmy1978

May 23, 2007, 21:54:09
Well i know i'm probably being totally thick but today when i was planting i realised i had ants scurrying up my arms - and one bit me because it was stinging where he'd been before i flicked him. Looking closer they are running about EVERYWHERE! Are they a problem?
Don't throw paper away. There is no away.

emmy1978

May 23, 2007, 21:54:09
Don't throw paper away. There is no away.

baggieboy

#1
May 23, 2007, 22:03:33
Glad u asked this as iv'e noticed quite a few as well. I take it they don't like lettuce cause had quite a lot of ants in soil and they grew good.

Don't now about other veggies though

Georgie

#2
May 23, 2007, 22:16:38
Not as far as I know.  Found this link:

http://www.antnest.co.uk/diet.html

G x
'The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.'

Robert_Brenchley

#3
May 24, 2007, 08:04:18
They do a little harm, and a lot of good. I leave them alone.

robkb

#4
May 24, 2007, 09:52:22
Only problem I've ever had with ants is when they decided to use my runner beans as an aphid farm! However, a quick spray with a diluted solution of water and clove oil and they were soon gone...

Cheers,
Rob ;)
"Only when the last tree has been cut down, and the last river has been poisoned, and the last fish has been caught, will we realise that we cannot eat money." - Cree Indian proverb.

emmy1978

#5
May 24, 2007, 12:11:25
Excellent thanks. I've never worried about them before, it just looks like my plot is absolutely overrun with them and i was thinking, do they nick seeds etc, but as you say Robert, little harm, lot of good. I don't think getting rid of them would be easy anyway.  ;D
Don't throw paper away. There is no away.

tim

#6
May 24, 2007, 12:28:31
As you say, Rob - the worry is not the ants, but the aphid they are milking.

emmy1978

#7
May 24, 2007, 16:04:47
Sorry, missed that, what,what,what? Aphids? Nooooo. I do have lots of ladybirds if that helps?!
Don't throw paper away. There is no away.

saddad

#8
May 24, 2007, 16:14:09
Aphids... add ladybirds.... no aphids!
;D

emmy1978

#9
May 24, 2007, 16:26:33
Well that's good because I've just been out in the garden and found greenfly all over the roses. Gaaaagh.  >:(
Don't throw paper away. There is no away.

tim

#10
May 24, 2007, 18:02:09
Just wish it was as easy as that.

First, you are lucky these days to have a good natural supply of Ladybirds.

Second, you need '5 per plant' - BEFORE they get out of hand.

Even the Predator treatment has its limitations - not least temperature. We can have 50F right into July!!

After trying everything on the market, we have gone back to squidging. From day one.

But I will still use Predators for RSM - it does work!!

A couple of leads - http://defenders.co.uk/pest-solutions/biological-aphid-control.html  /  http://www.nrp.org.uk/enews/edpladybird.htm

Robert_Brenchley

#11
May 24, 2007, 19:09:01
I use blue tits for greenfly on the roses. Very efficient!

tim

#12
May 24, 2007, 19:10:30
What do you pay them. Robert??

Robert_Brenchley

#13
May 24, 2007, 19:50:56
A full belly, naturally!

emmy1978

#14
May 24, 2007, 19:54:21
 Gave them a soapy bath just now. Ha.
Don't throw paper away. There is no away.
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