Ants infesting plants!
by
Anita Acuna
+12
I've some melons and squash in large tubs. There are good size holes for drainage and good soil. Last year, my plants suffered, didn't grow well and finally died. It seemed they died from the root. This year, new plants, new soil, and already the plants seem to be suffering. There are constant trails of ants around these pots. We live in zone 9, at the edge of a forest with a creek on the property. We know there are ant hills under the house and all over. I've also a small patch of earth that has been gardened with veggies and the ants are already infesting the fava beans! I've sprinkled diatomaceous earth all over, to no avail. Due to our location, chemicals and poison are out. Suggestions please. Thank you.
Here are a couple links. Hopefully something in them will help you. Awesome yard you have!
http://m.wikihow.com/Remove-Ants-from-Potted-Plants
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/homemade-pesticides-rid-ants-74375.html
Try cayenne pepper around them reaply after it rains
Cyenne pepper
A good one for containers is food grade diatomaceuos earth (DE). You can get it at places like TSC, Bomgaars, Menards, Home Depot, etc. Sprinkle around the base of the plants. Its non toxic, so you can touch it with your hands. Its very dusty tho, and can cause respiratory issues in small pets and kids, so apply in a well ventilated area. Be sure to use food grade. Another option, if you're not into "all natural" is Sevin dust. That is pretty inexpensive, and will deal with a wide variety of pets. That you can get just about anywhere that sells pest control products. I'd look in garden centers, rather than the pest control aisle.
Get a really large jar of ground cinnamon and sprinkle it around the plants and in amongst the stones. Ants hate cinnamon and they should leave them alone.
You could try sprinkling cornmeal around the perimeter of your porch - or even the house. The best results to kill them, though, are when you mix equal amounts of borax and sugar with enough water to make a paste. Drop small gobs of the paste where the ant trails begin. They should feed on the sugar and get killed by the borax. This can be done indoors or outdoors, but keep kids and pets away. Peppermint oil drives them crazy, too, messing up their scent trails. For your veggies, try sprinkling a 'moat' of peppermint flakes around them. As for your tub veggies, in Zone 9, I'd put some cedar mulch around them to help keep the roots cool. Remember to water all vine plants at the ground, not over the leaves. And water often, although if you add mulch it will keep the soil from drying too quickly, too.
Your problem is not ants, its aphids. The ants farm the aphids, the aphids suck the life out of your plant. If you're lucky they're regular aphids. If you're unlucky they're root aphids. Try a neem oil concentrate solution first thing in the morning Every other day for about a week. If you want to know what kind of aphids you have check the roots. If they're fuzzy looking, root aphids. Cinnamon usually works temporarily for me. Eventually they get used to it. Neem oil and horticultural soap work well used on a regular basis. Good luck!
you have to re-apply the diatomaceous --- food grade only--- I had to re-apply several times--- I had huge carpenter ants-- it worked finally-- every time it gets wet it also needs to be re-applied. Cinnamon-- ground also works. It repels them.
Also ladybugs naturally destroy aphids.
Thanks for all the replies! I've used cinnamon, didn't faze the ants. I'm keeping an eye on the plants and thus far no serious damage. The ants seem to be sucking at the leaves in various places. I am hoping there will be no damage to the beans as they come in.
packaged cornbread mix that says it is sweetened and put it where they are coming in if you can find it, or even on your counter in a small lid. They will take it to the mound, everyone will eat it and die, they can't digest the cornmeal, but will take it because it is sweetened. Little goes a long way.