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Post by Peek on May 13, 2008 15:54:42 GMT
I've just dug over a bare patch of ground , ready to put in a new plant, and a swarm of red ants came teeming to the surface.
Now I always thought that they were not the kind of insects you want in your garden, but the plants surrounding this bald patch seem to fine and are thriving.
So, does the team think I should put anything down to get rid of them ( I've no idea what, mind), or just let them get on with it but keep an eye on the new plant I've put in?
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Post by Ivan Astikov on May 13, 2008 16:03:02 GMT
Ants do tend to eat leaves - we have problems with black ants eating the leaves of the new plum tree we put in last weekend.
I usually put down one or two of those ant traps (ant bait stations I think they're called) that trap and kill the ants gradually emptying the nest. They're pretty safe and discreet and don't involve pouring nasty things all over your garden.
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Post by Suzy R Sopham on May 13, 2008 17:13:53 GMT
Ants are the spawn of the devil!!
They keep looking after aphids on my apple tree and rendering it fruitless!
If I see a gathering of them in the garden, I use borax mixed with sugar. That usually sorts the men from the ants!
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Post by Pistachio Newt on May 14, 2008 13:25:28 GMT
This site: CLICKYsays the red "Ants are not usually a problem and can live quite happily in the garden without causing too much damage. " But it says a heap of other things, too - better have a look for yourself if you want  |
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Post by Peek on May 14, 2008 15:38:57 GMT
Thanks for the info folks. I was always under the impression that red ants were biters and wanted to avoid contact with them, so I will just keep a beady eye on them...as they've done nothing to the surrounding plants as yet.
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Post by flouncey on May 14, 2008 21:03:32 GMT
Some red ants do bite/sting but usually only if their nest is disturbed or if they feel some is a threat to them.
The bites don't hurt but they itch like mad afterwards.
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Post by smiffy on May 15, 2008 3:14:07 GMT
Hmmm. Ants. Dont talk to me about ants. Like Suzy says, they are the spawn of the devil.
Here, I have learnt that ants will target weak plants. Ensure when you plant in your bald patch that the plant is fed and watered well, the soil is ready for it and nourished. I have lost a crop of fruit due to ants too. A new plant, heat distressed, the fruit just dropped.
Happy gardening Peek!
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Post by slinkychic on May 15, 2008 9:39:14 GMT
I've just dug over a bare patch of ground , ready to put in a new plant, and a swarm of red ants came teeming to the surface. Now I always thought that they were not the kind of insects you want in your garden, but the plants surrounding this bald patch seem to fine and are thriving. So, does the team think I should put anything down to get rid of them ( I've no idea what, mind), or just let them get on with it but keep an eye on the new plant I've put in? What a helpful bunch you are! Yesterday i turned over the patch that we use for planting runner beans, radish, sweetcorn and lettuce, only to find the army scurrying towards me. they looked very upset, and they were carrying their Little white eggs too. I just figured on ignoring the little blighter's and guessed that they would be aerating the ground to. Hope they don't eat me seeds. The sweetcorn was a nice electric blue colour. mIf they do will they turn blue me wonders? Hmmmm!  |
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