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?
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
Not as far as I know. Found this link:
http://www.antnest.co.uk/diet.html
G x
They do a little harm, and a lot of good. I leave them alone.
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 ;)
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
As you say, Rob - the worry is not the ants, but the aphid they are milking.
Sorry, missed that, what,what,what? Aphids? Nooooo. I do have lots of ladybirds if that helps?!
Aphids... add ladybirds.... no aphids!
;D
Well that's good because I've just been out in the garden and found greenfly all over the roses. Gaaaagh. >:(
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
I use blue tits for greenfly on the roses. Very efficient!
What do you pay them. Robert??
A full belly, naturally!
Gave them a soapy bath just now. Ha.