Ants!

I wonder if anyone can help? The other day I started to dig up and weed the patch I've nominated for veggies. It's been left for a long time and the weeds appear never ending! Anyway as I was digging I managed to dig up 2 large red ant nests. I have an awful phobia of ants and seeing millions of the little buggers freaked me out slightly! So my question is - does anyone know of a good way to get rid of them? Or are they doing good being there - should I just get over my fear and share my veggie patch with them?

Ava

 

If you've got a phobia of ants ... you've got a phobia of ants so 'just getting over it', is perhaps not an option. I've got very light soil and although not of the red variety, I still get millions of the wretched things and .... I hate them too!

To get ride of them there's always boiling water, ant powder or something called Diatomaceous Earth. For a 'greener' approach try borax, or something with a really strong odour such as a sponge soaked in camphor or creosote placed near the nest. I have heard that they hate mint, cinnamon and even talcum powder too, so you could try those.

I'm not sure what, if anything, red ants will do to your veggies (someone will know), but I'm told being bitten by them isn't pleasant.

 

Hi Ava, this link might help: http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.uk/ant.htm

a-a

 

If you want rid of the ant's ants I would suggest "Nippon Ant Killer".
It's a powder and the ants take it back to the nest on theirlegs/body. It works for me.
Unfortunately, now I've said this, their's likely to be a shortage of it as the shelves clear.

Ants are a problem every year for many people. I always keep Nippon in the shed - just in case.
At least you don't have them in the house.

I don't know what effect Nippon would have on the veg plot. I'm sure someone will be back with more info.

 

If Melinda were here, I think I know what she would suggest............
That should sort the little blighters out.

 

That's basically what I do - build a bonfire on top of the nest/hill.

Red ants invade my veg plots/coldframes/mulch sheets/compost heaps/raised beds/bags of horse poo/pots/seed trays/all sorts of places and want to fight me whenever I try to weed/plant/etc. They have a preference for using clay to build their mounds and drag it back to wherever I've been attempting to improve the soil. They construct their hills against rabbit proof fencing so the rabbits can jump in and eat my veg, whilst their flippin mounds also help to rot the wire fencing they surround and make holes in it. Zero tolerance for ants here on my plot.

 

In your case Scrungee I'm sure she would recommend this plan of action.........

 

Thanks for all the suggestions - I am particularly interested in the "Nuke them from Orbit" idea, can anyone suggest how I may arrange this?!? Also do you think it would eradicate all ants, not just from my garden, but worldwide? It seems a shame to go to all that effort just to clear them out of my garden!

Seriously though - thanks for your ideas, I think I may go with the boiling water for now as I would like to try and stay chemical free as much as I can. Might give the Lavender thing a go too - especially the spray for the house.

 

Red ants invade my veg plots/coldframes/mulch sheets/compost heaps/raised beds/bags of horse poo/pots/seed trays/all sorts of places and want to fight me whenever I try to weed/plant/etc. They have a preference for using clay to build their mounds and drag it back to wherever I've been attempting to improve the soil. They construct their hills against rabbit proof fencing so the rabbits can jump in and eat my veg, whilst their flippin mounds also help to rot the wire fencing they surround and make holes in it. Zero tolerance for ants here on my plot.[/quote]

Wow, you're really fighting a battle with them aren't you? Did you do something to annoy them and they're getting revenge!?!?!?