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formerly RGG

Do ants harm watermelon plants? My soil is a lot looser this year and the ants seem to love it. They are trying to build colonies in all 6 watermelon hills. I put some Amdro ant block out this evening to kill them. Still I would like to know if they do real damage to melon plants sometimes. Thanks for all feedback.

5/13/2010 8:59:16 PM

El Paso TX.

I've lost a few seedlings to ants - from field pumpkins and watermelons for eating - planted directly in the ground -- seems they get attracted to the new sprouts just out of the seed case and can eat the cot leaves pretty quickly but haven't had any problems with them on transplants (Once the seedlings are out of the ground for a few days they seem to leave them alone - think they just need a bit of time to harden up and then the ants are no longer attracted to them)- at least that has been my experience with them and we've got quite a few populations that show up every year - the ones I hate are the big red ants that have a real bite when you stand on their hill by mistake while weeding and give em time to crawl up your leg !

5/13/2010 10:51:48 PM

Corryton, TN

Had one colony at the base of a plant here last week. Watered in admire as part of regular plan. Don't know if they left, died or are hiding farther under plastic, but they are gone.

5/14/2010 6:21:30 AM

Rochester, Minnesota

I have had too much damage due to ants in the garden, so I kill them off. Sorry for all the ant lovers out there. I also have any problems in my bee keeping, but a good layer of cinnamon on the inner cover takes care of that.

5/14/2010 8:32:27 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Cinnamon? Repels Ants?

5/14/2010 8:48:11 AM

sevierville, Tn

Would depend on the kind of ant. I have a very small ant in my patch that only eats bugs. Wont touch anything sweet, nonething seems to kill them except direct raid, so i leave em alone & figue they help get rid of bad bugs. Funny , for a small ant , they have the strongest chemical sting of any ant around. Thats why i leave em alone LOL !
No other ants around, maybe thats why.

5/14/2010 1:43:54 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

Yes, Cinnamon repels ants. When I put a layer on the inner cover of the bee hive the ant problem is immediately gone.

5/17/2010 8:50:54 AM

Grimsley,TN

Melon Man,
We keep bees too and I also do a lot of pollinating. How much cinnamon do you put on the inner cover and is it a once a season deal? thanks for your help.

5/17/2010 9:52:52 AM

Rochester, Minnesota

A thin layer shaken across the top of the inner cover and they run like made. I have pretty much never had to put it on twice, I just make it a point to not dump it off when checking on the bees. I bought one of those larger size (think Sam's club size) and it has lasted a few years so far.

5/17/2010 1:22:54 PM

Western PA

I have never seen so many ants as I am seeing this year. They are all over my melon plants (small ants). My fear is that if they have a nest near the stump, they may be chewing on the small roots. As soon as I take the hoops down (probably today) I will try to take care of them. I mixed 50/50 of borax and powdered sugar and put some in my yard near a nest of big reds a few days ago, and they seem to be gone.

6/3/2010 10:57:42 AM