Red Ants (Merged)

mel123

Thank you both. I can see I'm going to have a heavy day with the kettle. It looks like they like the edges of my garden so will start there. Think I might pop my trousers in my socks for safety reasons (ouch)

TommyBoy

Howdy folks,

I was digging in my veggie patch yesterday and uncovered a big red ants nest under the soil right in the middle of my veggie patch. Are they likely to be mean and eat any of my veggies!?

Tom

Strepsy

I don't think they eat them but they'll collect aphids on them which would damage the plants. I'd pour boiling water in the nest a couple of times and then dig it over as best as possible. You can't use ant powder or anything but maybe those little containers where the ants have to walk in, attracted by the poison might be ok? I guess they'll probably just move somewhere else but probably won't be much of a problem outside of the veggie patch.

torbrex

Sprigs of winter-green will drive away red ants, they hate strong odours.
You could even try a sponge soaked in camphor or creosote placed close to the nest site.
For destruction as above but add camphor or quicklime to the boiling water.

These tips were taken from a 113th edition of 'Enquire Within' date 1920's.

KatrinaC_2

Red ants might not eat your veggies, but if the nests run under your plants they can hollow out the ground you're planting in and mean that the roots are hanging in mid air. They will also attack you and those things hurt when they bite. Kettles and pans of boiling water tipped into the nest work really well to get rid of them.

Kat

TommyBoy

Ooh goody thanks for all the ideas. I'll get rid of the little blighters

katskorner

I use antpowder when I find them. But boiling water works too (you'd leg it too wouldn't you??)

mikeywills

Ants I hate them, we have about twenty or so nests in our back garden at the last count and they're just the ones I know about. The thing with ants and aphids is the ant protects the aphids from that which will eat it, ladybirds etc, rather than munching on them which I wished they would.
This is not on as far as i'm concerned, in my last house they made a nest at the bottom of my rowan tree which undermined its roots, and the tree never had berries as the ants cultivated it:mad:
You can also try borax, which you can pick up from boots, they don't like that either.

LindseyM

Hiya!

I've just been out to tend to my strawberries and noticed that they are crawling with ants!! EEK!

I've just googled it but there was no two answers the same...some said kill them with boiling and cold water (flush them out)....others say that the ants are using the root systems and that its good for the strawbs as it gets the soil areated etc etc

So, am confused.....they're in pots on my patio so do I leave the ants or do I try and get rid of them, and if so, how..?

TIA

Linds

Dragon_Lady_3

Just so you don't feel the odd one out.

My strawberry plants are in gro bags and there are ants all over them :mad:

Not much help I'm afraid