The Old Folks Home

[ronott1]

your chickens? We used to have lots of meadow ants, before I got chickens. Now we have almost none Of course, we've lost a fair few border and pot plants too; my poor gazanias and carnations get nibbled constantly, but maybe you could rotate chicken patrols just to where the ants are, until they're gone?

A lot of the ants here taste bad to the chickens so they won't eat them.

 

[ronott1]

I am having a tough time fighting ants in my pots here.
I had them in my Satsuma and they kept bring in aphids. I got rid of the aphids and they brought in scale. I used sevin dust. Did not bother them. So I bought a drench. That worked!
Now they are in my zinnias and harvesting the seeds! I save my seeds for the next year!
I don't want to use the drench on them. I'm scared it will kill the bee's and butterflies.
Any suggestions?

See if you can identify the ants and then look up the best control for that species

 

[Perris]

A lot of the ants here taste bad to the chickens so they won't eat them.

what a shame! for you and the chickens

 

[ronott1]

what a shame! for you and the chickens

I know!

 

[chickadoodles]

your chickens? We used to have lots of meadow ants, before I got chickens. Now we have almost none Of course, we've lost a fair few border and pot plants too; my poor gazanias and carnations get nibbled constantly, but maybe you could rotate chicken patrols just to where the ants are, until they're gone?

I wish it were that easy!

 

[chickadoodles]

See if you can identify the ants and then look up the best control for that species

Ron I can't see well enough to do that. They are tiny like what you would call sugar ants.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Sugar ants are horrible most awful to do away with .. honestly I do know how
Mix equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar together. Pour the mixture into a shallow container or bowl, then place it near the line of ants. The powdered sugar will attract the ants to the mixture. The ants will take it back to their nest and eat it.

 

[chickadoodles]

Sugar ants are horrible most awful to do away with .. honestly I do know how
Mix equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar together. Pour the mixture into a shallow container or bowl, then place it near the line of ants. The powdered sugar will attract the ants to the mixture. The ants will take it back to their nest and eat it.

Baking soda! Ok. I'll try it. Thanks so much Penny!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Good luck Kill em

 

[Perris]

Sugar ants are horrible most awful to do away with .. honestly I do know how
Mix equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar together. Pour the mixture into a shallow container or bowl, then place it near the line of ants. The powdered sugar will attract the ants to the mixture. The ants will take it back to their nest and eat it.

we used to use borax and sugar, same principle.