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Chester Co., PA

Last night I discovered ants entering into a 1/4" hole in the main vine about 1 foot from the pumpkin. The hole is at a node where a flower or leaf once grew and is surrounded by scar tissue. The ants may have set up a colony in there. Has anyone heard of such a thing. Since they don't eat plants maybe they will attack enemies? Should I spray them and seal the hole?

8/2/2000 12:04:42 PM

Buffalo, Minnesota

Good discovery wes, iv'e also got ants on my pumpkin plants, but they dont seem to be entering into any of the vines, the ones i got are really small and they just seem to like the flower pollon as they seem to come in small colonies and rade the pollon, but im not shure why they would actually go inside the vine, i dont think they will do any harm, but i think ants actually feed small insects like mites and stuff?

8/3/2000 1:08:45 AM

Venicecalifornia

Hi Guys, I also have ants running around the vines, but there seems to be ants around all of my flowers and stuff it does not appear that they are harming anything, it has been has been so hot I was wondering if they are just looking for water. What do you think?
Vonnie

8/3/2000 2:14:51 AM

Buffalo, Minnesota

Hmm good suggestion vonnie, water lots of water in a pumpkin plant!

8/4/2000 1:18:29 AM

CT

Hi Wes,

I don't know what your weather has been like in California, but I am guessing maybe it has been hot and possibly a big dry. I once went to wash my car on a nice hot summer day. I picked up the water hose which had been lying in the driveway. To my surprise, when I turned on the water, a huge number of black ants came out of the hose into my bucket. I definately think they like the moisture and warmth of the area. I would be concerned if they are black ants, since I know they like to eat crumbs and stuff. They could develop an appetite for your pumpkin, perhaps widening a crack or opening that would let a more serious fungus enter. What do you guys think?

8/4/2000 9:51:51 AM

Chester Co., PA

I decided not to take any chances and killed the little creeps. Sprinkled Diazion granules on the wet ground around the effected area and the next day - no more activity. I sprayed the vine hole with Bactine and sealed it with a little rock and some asphalt based tree sealer. Thanks for your thoughts.

8/4/2000 10:45:37 AM

Enumclaw WA

I have had tiny bugs - could be ants - on the flowers. I took action with bug-b-gone and have noticed no more bugs and no damage. It's been nice and dry for days in western washington state

8/5/2000 12:09:52 AM

Kennett Square, PA

Seems like there is a mixed bag of tolerance of ants. Personally I wouldn't welcome or tolerate the intrusion - too many bad things can develop. Placing a small lid with 1/2 borac acid and 1/2 powdered sugar to a consistency of a puree should draw them out and put an end to the colony.

Gary

8/13/2000 4:36:45 PM