ants in pots

ants in pots
Sue Evanetz (Thu, 05 Apr 2018 19:03:04 PDT)

The ant whisperers of PBS

On Apr 5, 2018, at 4:14 PM, Ann Rametta <annmram@gmail.com> wrote:

After I juice my fruit-lemons tangerines and oranges I save the peals or
skin and chop them up then mix them in my potting soil. Ants may go in to
explore but wont stay. later it will become mulch but by that time I'm
usually repotting. Ann Marie
Southern California Zone 9 inland

On Thu, Apr 5, 2018 at 3:24 PM, Jo&Greg <sun-coast-pearl@telus.net> wrote:

It also kills earthworms, and other softer-bodied beneficial insects.
Jo Canning

-----Original Message-----
From: pbs <pbs-bounces@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> On Behalf Of John
Wickham
Sent: Thursday, April 5, 2018 10:36 AM
To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net>
Subject: Re: [pbs] ants in pots

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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