Weed Killer & Ants

Cat121

Is there a moneysaving way of killing weeds from my path and patio (other than just picking it out regularly that is)?

Also, I have 4 ant nests in the garden - how do i get rid?

Thanks for your help in advance xxxxx

tanith

For the ants nests try kettles of boiling water...but be careful:eek: as for the weeds pulling them out by the roots is a free way of doing it but backbreaking, I suppose you could also try boiling water on them but not sure if it would kill the roots... just be very careful especially if you have kiddies around.....

Gingham_Ribbon

We have a green fingered board that I think you'll get more respnse in. I'll move this over for you.

grannybroon

I tend to use the boiled water method for the path weeds too and it does seem to work. I tend to use ant powder for the ants. But you can get an ant gel which I think is effective.

GB

Pink.

Hi Cat,

These older threads may help:

weeds????

Weed Killer

Ants!!!!

It may also be worth having a look at the greenfingered board for more threads on weed killing.

Pink

Edit: Great minds Gingham.

Brooktop

borax will help kill weeds and ants. One of the more environmentally-friendly chemicals you can slap down.

mary43

Are ants actually harmful ? OH has just cleared a patch of ground under our windowsill and there were loads of ants...........he's wanting to plant some pinks there. If the ants aren't going to damage anything is it ok to leave them ? I did suggest to him boiling water but he was a bit dubious about planting something in the ground after its been doused like that

Karmacat

I'm just about to start delurking on here, as I really need to come on here regularly to help with my focus on gardening, and noticed this thread. I have a huge ants' nest in my front garden (one of my problems) and while they don't seem to be harming the plants one bit - in fact, they eat greenfly,don't they? - what they *have* done, over the last 5 years or so, is pile up the earth that makes up their nest to such an extent that they've pushed 3 concrete blocks off the top of the terrace onto the soil below. I really don't want to kill them, but I have to repair the wall soon.... its a problem....

Davesnave

Karmacat wrote: »

I have a huge ants' nest in my front garden (one of my problems) and while they don't seem to be harming the plants one bit - in fact, they eat greenfly,don't they? - what they *have* done, over the last 5 years or so, is pile up the earth that makes up their nest to such an extent that they've pushed 3 concrete blocks off the top of the terrace onto the soil below. I really don't want to kill them, but I have to repair the wall soon.... its a problem....

Ants don't eat greenfly; they 'milk' them for honeydew. They don't harm plants, but you have to decide who 'owns' the space, you or the ants, as it s hard to co-exist with them! If you don't use the garden, they will.

Karmacat

Thanks, Davesnave - for the info and for your comment about owning and using, thats a very good way of putting it.