Ants

Ants are everywhere in my garden. Pretty sure that it is ants that are eating the sweet pea leaves.

What would people suggest? I have just being reading about nematodes for use on slugs and ants. What success have people had? Is there anything I can spray on my fruit and veg to deter the little pests?

 

Would I spray it on the the plants/fruit?

 

Normally my method of ant destruction is, find the nest give it a poke or two with a stick to liven them up a bit, then poor several kettles of boiling water over the nest.....

I've had major problems with ants in my greenhouse, not helped having a concrete floor, couldn't see where the actually nest was located, tried studying/following them but to no avail.... This time decided chemical warfare was needed, so found some Nipon Bait box's has I really didn't fancy puffing ant powder around the greenhouse and my veg in there.. It seems to have done the trick, after putting the bait box's down, seen the ants munching the bait, it's been 2 days now, and when I take a look, bait box's haven't got any ants munching, nor can I see any ants in the greenhouse.

 

Thank you. Will give your suggestions a try. Are ants partial to any particular veg or fruit in the garden?

 

I use Ant Stop spray , when I get an infestation on the lawn . Or in the house last year ! Works well
http://www.lovethegarden.com/product-details/home-defence-ant-stop-gun

 

Thanks - will try it around the perimeter of the house, but they are also all over my crops. Aarrrgghhh

 

I've had success with a pile of sugar with a bit of bleach poured on, they can't help themselves. If they don't die trying to eat it they tell their mates and they all vacate the area.

 

You also mentioned slugs. We bought some stuff that you mix with water for them and snails. You put it in a watering can and water under and around plants. Since using it, we haven't seen any.

 

Will try anything - sugar and bleach is a easy one to try. Which produce do they prefer?

The slug stuff - was it nematodes?

 

The slug stuff was Slugs Be Gone I think - we got it from the local garden centre. I only use it on flowers as it can't be used on or around fruit, veg etc. it gets rid of slugs, snails and their eggs that are hidden beneath the surface of the soil. I think Neudorff Sluggo Slug and Snail Killer is similar but this can be used on allotments, veg, fruit etc. I think we looked at Nematodes but if I remember rightly, this was the stuff you need to keep in a fridge and only has a shelf life of 2/3 weeks, so we decided to go with Slugs Be Gone.