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ANTS
Jun 18, 2008 19:15:47 GMT 1
Post by Sweetleaf on Jun 18, 2008 19:15:47 GMT 1
When we broke down the garden everything was infested with ants...it wasn't very much fun as they were crawling all over us. I suppose the blessed weather in Brum makes them a bit of a problem up there. I get them in the PT a lot in the summer. I usually try and keep their nest disturbed so they will give up and go away. I would never use a chemical though..I've heard that talcum powder sprinkled around the nest works though. Any powder works (well maybe not icing sugar ;D ) But I've put talc and washing powder on them in the past. I heard salt is a good deterrant but not where you want to plant afterward obviously  |
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ANTS
Jun 18, 2008 21:48:52 GMT 1
Post by floweringcherry on Jun 18, 2008 21:48:52 GMT 1
It seems to be a bad year for Ants. In my Mum's grass there were several that I just mowed over  In my greenhouse yesterday, there were several black ants on some nice 'Double Impatiens' No sign of a nest in the greenhouse, or aphids for the secretions. Took them outside, knocked off the ants and checked today, so far so good. |
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ANTS
Jun 18, 2008 22:18:35 GMT 1
Post by madonplants on Jun 18, 2008 22:18:35 GMT 1
Trouble is The witch, unless they are in the house, I don't want to use chemicals, I felt bad using that wasp foam last year, but the kids were at risk so had to. If you dig the hole out a bit, you will get the queen!! Does mess your lawn up a bit though, for a while and you have to make sure no ants are climbing up your trowel while digging it out! Had a quick look and you do get a 'sort of' biological control, might think about giving that a go, just near the pond so I can get on with things! www.just-green.com/ProductDetails/mcs/ProductID/1154/GroupID/69/CategoryID/977/v/bf9ff111-8ce3-4091-8148-3e1cd9a8a496 Rumour has it that ants won't cross a white line. Because Nippon kills many beneficial insects like bees and I believe I read somewhere, it can harm cats and dogs. I don't really want to use it near a pond either, do I!  I normally don't bother with the ones in the middle of the lawn, only those that are on the edge. It's just I have quite a few nests around the perimeter of the pond, where I need to get some work done. I don't want to get bitten badly again, as the nurse said if it happens again, I should see the doctor quickly. |
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ANTS
Jun 18, 2008 22:52:14 GMT 1
Post by madonplants on Jun 18, 2008 22:52:14 GMT 1
Because Nippon kills many beneficial insects like bees and I believe I read somewhere, it can harm cats and dogs. I don't really want to use it near a pond either, do I! I normally don't bother with the ones in the middle of the lawn, only those that are on the edge. It's just I have quite a few nests around the perimeter of the pond, where I need to get some work done. I don't want to get bitten badly again, as the nurse said if it happens again, I should see the doctor quickly. But the Nippon that comes with a small shoe polish type tin must be ok Keith surely as most other insects are too large to get through the small holes.... aren't they? All I know, is when we had that bad attack in the Oakham house 4/5 years ago, when we came back from 2 weeks holiday, the ant man said that a lot of ants are getting resistant to nippon, especially the liquid. Now he might have being telling porkies, just for the business, but I wanted to believe him. He was the only one who we phoned (from outside the house) who said, just hoover them up and he will be out the following day to deal with the nest. All the others wanted to charge the earth, well a three figure sum anyway. He did come out first thing and guaranteed no more ants for at least 2 years. I don't want to know what he put down though!!  |
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ANTS
Jun 19, 2008 9:57:28 GMT 1
Post by madonplants on Jun 19, 2008 9:57:28 GMT 1
Alright then, pest control officer, is that alright for you? |
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ANTS
Jul 20, 2008 19:40:37 GMT 1
Post by cheerypeabrain on Jul 20, 2008 19:40:37 GMT 1
There do seem to be a lot of ants about this year...but it hasn't been hot enough for one of those 'ant explosions' where they all tip out of the nest and fly about...I just leave them on the whole. They REALLY love the fine tilth on my seed beds, the compost bins and are all over the veg patch. The only blackfly/greenfly we've had have been on some little chrysanthemums and they were being tended by ants...pesky things...
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ANTS
Jul 21, 2008 19:53:49 GMT 1
Post by seanmckinney on Jul 21, 2008 19:53:49 GMT 1
"I used to work for Rentokil many years ago Keith - Woodworm and Dry Rot Division in Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire" The witch, I have wood worm in the attic and Rentokill here wont do domestic. It's not structrual yet and I am burning ALOT of the wood my old man had around the place and they do seem to have specific tastes, especially birch ply, but I will need to do something. Any advice, from a pro, would be good!  |
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ANTS
Jul 22, 2008 23:16:08 GMT 1
Post by Sweetleaf on Jul 22, 2008 23:16:08 GMT 1
In this area today was the day for the Ants to "explode" from the nests there were clouds of them erupting from the cracks in the pavements wherever I walked today, it always amazes me that they all come out at once  It always freaks me a bit if they get in my hair <shuddersmiley> |
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ANTS
Jul 23, 2008 12:40:42 GMT 1
Post by floweringcherry on Jul 23, 2008 12:40:42 GMT 1
When I was weeding yesterday, I moved a garden ornament and it split in two. Look what was inside. 
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ANTS
Jul 23, 2008 12:42:47 GMT 1
Post by Sleepy on Jul 23, 2008 12:42:47 GMT 1
You may have lost a pot, but that's one hell of a nursery to relocate!!!
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ANTS
Jul 23, 2008 13:23:56 GMT 1
Post by mickthecactus on Jul 23, 2008 13:23:56 GMT 1
I get them in the big cactus pots from time to time too.
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ANTS
Jul 23, 2008 13:27:00 GMT 1
Post by 4pygmies on Jul 23, 2008 13:27:00 GMT 1
There were ants crawling about in the office I went to this morning....winged ones too....they were dithering about how to get rid of them - being an organic, earth friendly place they couldn't just spray with toxic chemicals.....they'd tried an eco friendly ant trap The ants were totally ignoring it though Next was getting out the vaccuum cleaner apparently...... |
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ANTS
Jul 23, 2008 22:46:44 GMT 1
Post by floweringcherry on Jul 23, 2008 22:46:44 GMT 1
They were black ants. I had a look this evening and there is not one cocoon there. I didn't disturb it after taking the photo yesterday, so assume the ants have carried them off elsewhere. They are well up the garden so not a problem.
Today we have had flying ants everywhere, really unpleasant when they fly at you and land in your hair!
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ANTS
Jul 31, 2008 11:29:16 GMT 1
Post by Sleepy on Jul 31, 2008 11:29:16 GMT 1
Cool 
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ANTS
Jul 31, 2008 11:43:40 GMT 1
Post by Sleepy on Jul 31, 2008 11:43:40 GMT 1
Cool Are you going to test one out for us then Sleepy? No, but I have made a mental note that they would make some good Xmas pressies. |
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In my greenhouse yesterday, there were several black ants on some nice 'Double Impatiens' No sign of a nest in the greenhouse, or aphids for the secretions. Took them outside, knocked off the ants and checked today, so far so good. 
