Ants,Ants and more Ants

[Susiebelle]

I am using the raised bed system and am finding them a haven for red ants, I have never seen so many ant nests, I don't think they do too much damage, although they did kill off one of my Dahlias - I do garden organically -  has anyone got any suggestions to free my beds of these horrid things  ???

[Susiebelle]

[angle shades]

:) blackbirds will eat the eggs, think of me, my lottie greenhouse is one BIG ants nest, I just let them get on with it / shadesx

[gerbera]

My garden is one great big ants nest....and all the biting red variety too! :'(

You have my sympathy.

I seem to be chasing them round the garden...but never eliminate them. ???

I use a combination of ant powder and boiling water....but their numbers never decrease!

Any tips?

[Georgie]

Try growing Pennyroyal.  It works for me.   :)

G x

[telboy]

Georgi,
I'm listening!

[gerbera]

So am I....this sounds like something goooood!  8)

How does the Penntroyal work? How and where do I grow it? ???

[Georgie]

It's a member of the mint family.  It's low growing, trailing, quite pretty and ants are said to be deterred by the smell.  I used to have problems with ants getting into the kitchen but since I've grown Pennyroyal in a pot close to the point where the ants used to enter the problem has been solved.   ;D  I got the seed from Suffolk Herbs.  I think I've still got some but it's probably out of date.  Happy to send it to anyone who wants to risk it.   :)

G x