| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| TeJo |
Posted - Feb 18 2011 : 6:58:20 PM
and everywhere else.
Anyone have ideas on how to get rid of ants in raised beds? Preferably in an environmentally friendly manner?
I live on basically a granite outcropping covered by an ant farm. So they're pretty much everywhere, but strangely enough don't come in the house.
My raised beds are rampant with rampaging ants that cover me in a heartbeat and as much as I hate bothering any of the local critters, they just aggravate me to death.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
To me, a witch is a woman that is capable of letting her intuition take hold of her actions, that communes with her environment, that isn't afraid of facing challenges.
- Paulo Coelho -
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| 12 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| sherrye |
Posted - Mar 03 2011 : 07:14:23 AM
well thought i would mention one thing about hot water. ants have back up queens. you need to kill them quietly. when we moved here 20 yrs. ago ants everywhere. my son worked for terminex. he said if you boil water and put on them they feel threatened. some ants grab the dormant queens and run. now you have 3 or more new hills. the trick is to poison them quietly. as has been said, they need to carry the borax back to the hill to contaminate the whole thing. just a thought. in spring they love carbs and sugar is their favorite. happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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| Dorinda |
Posted - Mar 03 2011 : 04:39:25 AM
My mother in law boils a pot of water and pours over the mounds. You could try that. She saids that kills the queen ant and all the workers. She swears by it.
Seize The Day!
Dorinda |
| Kyria |
Posted - Mar 02 2011 : 8:34:54 PM
We sell organic fertilizer and the most surprising thing to me was that molasses gets rid of fire ants! I don't know whether it kills them or just repels them, but I promise it works. We don't have fire ant trouble in our yard or garden anymore since we started using it. Our molasses is certified organic and we use it mixed in with our other ingredients, but if you want to try it, just dilute with water until it'll come out of a pump sprayer - as thick as you can get it. Your plants will love it!
I'm not trying to sell you anything. We only sell locally, but if you're interested, the website is www.watsonranchorganic.com . They're not nationwide yet, but maybe they'll be in your area.
Kyria
www.crossyr.blogspot.com
Sell Books Online at Cash4Books.net
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| Victoria Ashley |
Posted - Mar 02 2011 : 07:11:17 AM
My first thought is that water could help. I'd be curious to see what happens after a few hours of a running a sprinkler on your raised beds. You can also build a moat around the beds! ;) |
| Leilaht |
Posted - Feb 20 2011 : 08:10:40 AM
Don't mix it with the soil! Just put it out in bowls. A ratio of 10:1, sugar (I used jelly) to borax. Too much borax will kill them instantly and you want them to take it back to the queen. We had tons of ants when we moved in last year. I had to to get rid of them. Make sure no other animals can get to it. Borax is toxic to everything. I used tiny little containers I found at the dollar store. I drilled holes in the sides and put the lids on so my dogs couldn't get it.
Liz
Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
Proverbs 31:25 |
| sherrye |
Posted - Feb 20 2011 : 06:51:40 AM
the borax can be mixed with powdered sugar. they will be looking for quick energy in spring weather. in late fall they look for more of a protein source to store up for winter. just a thought sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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| TeJo |
Posted - Feb 19 2011 : 5:02:23 PM
The borax seems to work. Last year I just put some out in small bowls on the rail of my back deck, they ate it, went away and haven't come back. But I didn't know about putting it in a vegetable bed. Is it safe to use in the soil where you'll plant edibles?
I'll definitely give the tansy a try. It's good to have anyway.
I've almost decided to just let the ants have the raised beds and plant wildflowers in them. Maybe make some new beds nearer the house for the veg.
Thx all, for the suggestions.
T
To me, a witch is a woman that is capable of letting her intuition take hold of her actions, that communes with her environment, that isn't afraid of facing challenges.
- Paulo Coelho -
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| Alee |
Posted - Feb 19 2011 : 09:03:49 AM
When we had an ant problem, we mixed sugar or honey or syrup with powdered borax. The ants take it back to the nest and it kills the eggs. I hated to do it, but we had a huge infestation.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
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| Bellepepper |
Posted - Feb 19 2011 : 07:37:34 AM
I have heard that Tansy will repel ants. I just got a pkt of tansy seeds yesterday. Going to start the plants here in the house to set out come spring. They are perennial so you want to plant them where they won't be disturbed next spring. We'll see if they work.
Belle |
| TeJo |
Posted - Feb 19 2011 : 06:32:51 AM
Thanks for the help. I'll check it out.
Anything to keep these little buggers outta my britches!
To me, a witch is a woman that is capable of letting her intuition take hold of her actions, that communes with her environment, that isn't afraid of facing challenges.
- Paulo Coelho -
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| HollyMaker |
Posted - Feb 18 2011 : 10:29:26 PM
You could try Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth. Do a google search and you'll get oodles of info. I don't care for ants much either. Last year aphids totally covered my artichokes and the ants came along with them. I don't know which of them settled on the artichokes first but I know that ants "farm" aphids. My first edible artichokes and they were ruined. I have tried Diatomaceous Earth before with some success for earwigs but the conditions have to be dry.
I'm sorry you have to deal with these ants but the first thing that came to mind when I saw "ants in my pants," was "and I need to dance." by James Brown, LOL!
Farmgirl Sister #2699
http://www.chartreuseproducts.com/hlennon.html Natural and organic cleaning products, bath and body, righteous reusables and more! Be sure to put my name (on homepage of website) in the 'How did you hear about us' section. |
| graciegreeneyes |
Posted - Feb 18 2011 : 8:33:05 PM
I would be interested to know too Teresa - I had two beds that had ants last year, and their bites stung!! Never did really get rid of them either.
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
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