My problems are associated with Argentine ants. They have shallow
nests and pots are a prime nesting spot for them. And it seems the
issues with aphids and mealy bugs is more pronounced in these
situations. With regard to diatomaceous earth, I've heard that becomes
ineffective when wet. Is that the case?

On Thursday, April 5, 2018 9:47 AM, Jo&Greg
<sun-coast-pearl@telus.net>
wrote:

I do not know about other ant species, but with regard to carpenter
ants ...
they have the main colony, and the "nursery colonies" which are always
a little warmer, and more humid. This is why you can see them walking
in a line from somewhere outside, into your abode or porch, etc. They
also have multiple queens, so one will stay with each area. As for the
gasoline treatment, pouring orange oil down the colony will do the
same thing, and cause an underground smoldering fire if your ground is
peaty.
Jo Canning

-----Original Message-----
From: pbs <pbs-bounces@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> On Behalf Of Rick
Buell via pbs
Sent: Thursday, April 5, 2018 5:36 AM
To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net>
Cc: Rick Buell <rredbbeard@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [pbs] ants in pots

They buy ant colonies **without** a queen....
--------------------------------------------
On Thu, 4/5/18, Jane Sargent <jane@deskhenge.com> wrote:

Subject: [pbs] ants in pots
To: pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net
Date: Thursday, April 5, 2018, 8:03 AM

I agree that it sounds possible to unpot the plant and wash the ants
away, but I have never had ants in my pots and so have no direct
experience.
In my
Mexican garden, we have enormous underground colonies of leafcutter
ants. This is like National Geographic, with trails of ants carrying
parasols they have snicked out of my hibiscus and gardenias. A
plantsman there suggested making a deep hole into a colony, perhaps
by hammering a broom handle into it, pouring gasoline down the hole,
tossing a match and running away as fast as possible.
He says it leaves a crater and a bad smell but crimps the style of
the ants.
Don't try this in your bulb pots.

I wonder why ants prefer your bulb pots to the ground. Is it the
drainage?
Most ants don't like to live in boggy ground.

Do all the colonies appear similar, or do you have several species
of ants?

People pay good money to buy ant farms for their children.

Jane

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