But the other day my daughter came running inside screaming, "The patio is swarming with ants!" I went out to see what was going on and I see a ton of ants making a line across the lawn and headed directly for the pomegranate tree. They were climbing up the trunk and crawling all over the leaves! By nature, I'm the "live and let live" type when it comes to insects outdoors. So I left them alone, assuming they could do no harm. But this morning I noticed that many of the tree's leaves have shriveled up and I'm afraid that ants will kill the tree or at least ruin the fruit.

Does anyone have any information that can help me?

First of all, why are the ants suddenly attacking this tree?

Can they do real damage?

If so, what is the simplest way to get them to stop and keep them off of the tree?

I prefer a natural remedy to using chemicals, but if only chemicals will help I'm willing to go that route.

recommend I do?

I thought of installing curtains, but this would have some side-effects I might not be happy with (cost, forgetting to draw them and loosing a lot of sun light through out the day)

notice the smell till I unloaded it much later at home. I have tried window cleaner, orange oil cleaner, Pine Sol, leather cleaner, dish soap and have stopped short of bleach. NOTHING is working! I have the chair out on my covered porch and when it is really humid or rainy the smell about gags me. REALLY hate to pitch it, there just has to be something else I haven't tried yet. Any suggestions???

worth anything and is it worth having it cut somewhere? Thanks for your help!

issues for a bit over 12 years. I figured my "fancy" $900 LG model should last at least that long.

The cause of the failure was as still undetermined when the HD lad hauled it away for scrap.

The nature of the failure / attempted repair proceeded as follows.

1. control panel dark.

2. initial call to LG support had me do a complete system / reboot/ reset. via timed power down sequence.

3. control panel no longer dark, cycle would initiate but only progress about 2 minutes.

4 second call to LG and they provided the name of two service outfits that would come out and do work. Called both and they said I was out of their service area.

5. third call to LG, asking it we can trouble shoot over the phone, Sorry this is only for registered techs. I reply ...you mean the ones that will not not come to my home.

6. Online research told me that the issue may lie in a faulty control board.

7 find parts supplier online (through sears)

8 order control panel from sears..$173

9 receive plastic control panel cover from sears.

10 call sears parts get RMA to return completely wrong part (i pay a small 7 dollar ship fee)

11 order PCB panel from sears ($153 dollar)...odd that the plastic "dashboard" with zero function cost 20 bucks more. It should be noted that the PCB board has a five year warranty...my machine was 5 years and 2 months old...

12 received and installed new PCB board. NO CHANGE in operation, machine hangs at the exact same step.

13 call to LG service and rep on sunday says that tech dept will call and help me trough additional trouble shooting since no service outfit will come to home. ( i think this is good progress)

14 call from LG a few days later (message left on answering machine)

15 I call back later and am told that I can not speak to directly to tech..ask to speak to a supervisor and same story...the gal that said I could on sunday was wrong. ( supervisor really rude and condescending). Tell supervisor that his actions will determine whether I will ever buy another LG product in my life, and I will pass this info on to all my friends and family. Supervisor say he will track down a service outfit that will come to my home.

16. More online research, determine next probable cause recirc. motor and switch.

17 Order recir motor and switch ( about 60 bucks)

18 receive motor and switch, perform much more invasive install both these parts...same story. week and half pass and LG call and leaves message, say company XXX will service at my location, $90 just to knock on the door, parts and labor for their install would be additional.

19. More online research for next possible cause, main motor assembly

20 order main motor assembly (about 80 bucks)

21. more major invasive surgery like before. Install new like for like motor. reassemble install dishwasher and test. with this test Original Control board goes up in cloud of stinky smoke.

22...regroup and pursue other options.

23. Oder new Maytag Dishwasher with Stainless internals , steam cycle etc.($405)

24 Package up all ordered new part for return / credit less ship at $7

each

25 Receive new DW In less time than any of the other parts orders. FREE in home Deliivery and old Appliance haul off.

( this phase occurs while I am out for a few weeks with herniated disc)

Mostly healed now, installed new Maytag diswasher yesterday....works great.

Final conclusions.

LG customer support varies, from so so to complete disregard for customer.

LG product support not as widespread as for other products.

LG supervisor admits openly that product is only designed to last 5 to 8 years.

LG rating 0 stars

Sears parts sales and support great... aside from first issue with plastic cover....friendly helpful and courteous. RMA and return process simple and easy.

Sears parts Rating 4 1/2 stars

Anyone else treated so poorly form LG?