I've had ants living in the pot of my Cordyline 'Red Star' for about 5 years now. They do no harm to it and we have an arrangement: they pollinate my Trilliums and planting the seeds for me, and in return I leave them be. Ants are useful pollinators too!
Regarding ants, I remember reading that it is possible to encourage ants to move if they have a more desirable destination/food supply. The author laid a trail of sugar away from their current location to a pile of sugar elsewhere. I'm sorry I haven't tested their advice but I thought it was interesting and kinder than automatically trying to kill them.
I just dealt with this ant problem and was finally successful. They were in my garden and my raised beds. I used a simple mixture of confectioners sugar (icing sugar) and baking powder! I sprinkled it on the nest and worked it down into the soil. I did have to do it twice to get rid of them all, but it worked quickly. That was about 3 weeks ago. I think I used about a 1:1 ratio.
I have put a pot of pennyroyal mint in my green house every year since I had an issue in there and since then no ants have returned. I believe it is a natural repellent for them.
I have a problem with slugs so as soon as I saw your comment I decided to do a bit of research online. Unfortunately it is not fully pet safe & there have been cases of acute dog poisoning. Not because of the iron or the phosphate, but because of other additives which are needed to make them work.
Over time though using it year after year, I wouldn't want to keep adding iron to my soil. In very small amounts it's a micronutrient, at higher amounts it is a toxin.
Ants pollinate aswell as clean up and balance the garden. They are also on the menu for many birds. Keep in mind that the prey multiplies before the beneficial predators, so hold one's bridges a D give nature a minute..
Thank you. Some really helpful tips. Never too old to learn something new!
I also have a ant boom. Tried the live and let live. They are now farming aphids. Went south quickly.
I've had ants living in the pot of my Cordyline 'Red Star' for about 5 years now.
They do no harm to it and we have an arrangement: they pollinate my Trilliums and planting the seeds for me, and in return I leave them be.
Ants are useful pollinators too!
You get it
I have really compacted soil and ants are doing a very good job aerating it for me! They're also feeding my northern flickers.
for ants I find drawing a line of chalk helps deter them entering where you don't want them - make sure to draw a strong thick line!
Regarding ants, I remember reading that it is possible to encourage ants to move if they have a more desirable destination/food supply. The author laid a trail of sugar away from their current location to a pile of sugar elsewhere. I'm sorry I haven't tested their advice but I thought it was interesting and kinder than automatically trying to kill them.
I just dealt with this ant problem and was finally successful. They were in my garden and my raised beds. I used a simple mixture of confectioners sugar (icing sugar) and baking powder! I sprinkled it on the nest and worked it down into the soil. I did have to do it twice to get rid of them all, but it worked quickly. That was about 3 weeks ago. I think I used about a 1:1 ratio.
Thank you for answering my question on the Loganberry I will pass the information on to my brother and his wife.
Your vast knowledge is astounding and informative, thanks Rosy.
Thank you, I guess living with my ants and maybe attract birds more in that area should do the trick
I have put a pot of pennyroyal mint in my green house every year since I had an issue in there and since then no ants have returned. I believe it is a natural repellent for them.
Thank you for the answer re name changes, I will have a good rummage on the net.
I find black mint discourages ants (especially useful around fruit trees)
Flipping eck 🤩 your euphorbias still look amazing x 💯👌💋
Thank you
Thankyou
Thank you!
talcum powder seems to work at moving ants
I use iron-phosphate pellets for snails and slugs. It's harmless to plants, humans, pets, and insects.
I have a problem with slugs so as soon as I saw your comment I decided to do a bit of research online. Unfortunately it is not fully pet safe & there have been cases of acute dog poisoning. Not because of the iron or the phosphate, but because of other additives which are needed to make them work.
@@costask3404 The quantity that a dog would need to eat to get ill is quite large. It's not perfect, but this is the best there is.
@@arnorrian1you know if it s something that animals break down or built up otherwise a small amount is still not safe
@@arnorrian1 killing things in your yard isn't "the best there is"
Over time though using it year after year, I wouldn't want to keep adding iron to my soil. In very small amounts it's a micronutrient, at higher amounts it is a toxin.
Ant powder.
For ants. In US we have chemical that ants eat and take back to colony and all ants die. Terro. Only if you don’t mind chemicals
Ants pollinate aswell as clean up and balance the garden. They are also on the menu for many birds. Keep in mind that the prey multiplies before the beneficial predators, so hold one's bridges a D give nature a minute..
It's just borax, harmless to plants and pollinators in small quantities.
@@moniquemannaert3468I do like a live and let live approach. Nature survives
You know if you remove a nest you just make a place for another... and btw never chemicals
@@Karincl7 Water is a chemical.
terro ant killer
Bran will attract rats.