ants in pots (forum)

nickg starts with ...
Hi All,
Still frustrated at ants in my pots
WA any suggestions apart from throwing everything out and starting again.

Time: 14th February 2013 9:31pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author nicg
 
#UserID: 7627
Posts: 65
View All nicg's Edible Fruit Trees

Db says...
Don't throw and restart, ants will come back anyway. I also don't know how to get rid of them permanently or at least for longer period, so someone else will advice you on this. But if possible, put your plants in ground to fix the issue. Half of my plants are in pot and most are getting attacked by ants but the rest which in ground are unaffected and vigorously growing and fruiting as well. Good luck.

Time: 14th February 2013 10:33pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Db
Brisbane
#UserID: 6427
Posts: 470
View All Db's Edible Fruit Trees

nickg says...
Thanks Db,
its very very FRUSTATING. i am 60yr old have been mucking around with potted plants all my life and this has started only in the last couple of years! i have done nothing different WHAT IS THIS! GLOBAL WARMING? OR ANTS GETTING SMARTER! iTS got me stuffed, i ve tried everything natural but no go.CAN WE BLAME THE GOVERMENT? [HEH! HEH!] Maybe conpensation for loss of enjoyment?
Comments please

Time: 14th February 2013 10:53pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author nicg
 
#UserID: 7627
Posts: 65
View All nicg's Edible Fruit Trees

Humusbeings says...
It depends on the type of ants you have. Do some have big heads and the nest in paving? Or are they small and dark and smell when squashed?

Time: 14th February 2013 10:59pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author Humusbeings
 
#UserID: 5983
Posts: 4
View All Humusbeings's Edible Fruit Trees

Humusbeings says...
You can stick some to sticky tape and send to ag dept pests and disease section so they can identify them and give you a better idea. I've not read the rest of yr saga so won't suggest borax mix etc as you will have tried.


Time: 14th February 2013 11:00pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
Original Post was last edited: 14th February 2013 11:01pm
About the Author Humusbeings
 
#UserID: 5983
Posts: 4
View All Humusbeings's Edible Fruit Trees

snottiegobble says...
Make sure your plant pots are always sitting in trays of water, & give them a good soaking. Just make sure the ants cant find a way onto your plants by some other way such as a branch touching them! As the mix gets really sodden the ants will want to leave so make a bridge with a stick from pot to ground level then take it away when they have all left!

Time: 15th February 2013 12:57am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author snottiegobble
South of Bunbury
#UserID: 3468
Posts: 1458
View All snottiegobble's Edible Fruit Trees

nickg says...
Its been 2 weeks and the pots are almost ANT FREE! what i did was every night after watering i saturated the pots with home made oil spray from a 1lt spray bottle. [ i cannot take the recipe glory... it was from MaryT] Anyway recipe [ as per Mary] 1 lt water,
2 good blobs of oil [ if the missus finds out about the extra virgin olive oil i'm in deep poo AGAIN] and a squeese of dish washing liquid, good shake and spray on soil [ not on leaves]
it seems to be working well, so i will keep it up . The plants don't seem to mind it and they look healthy as ever.
MAYBY THIS IS THE BREAKTHROUGH WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR!
PS Ants have their place in nature, but not in my precious seedling pots.
Comments most welcome. I live in Perth WA.

Time: 1st March 2013 9:56pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author nicg
 
#UserID: 7627
Posts: 65
View All nicg's Edible Fruit Trees