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Location

Message

Date Posted

Mount Prospect,illinois

I noticed tons of little ants roaming around the area where i planted a seedling. I think they are pavement ants(?). The little guys that you sometimes see swarming on sidewalks. Are they any danger to the plants?

5/11/2008 10:22:38 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Only if they're farming aphids on your plants!

5/11/2008 10:26:59 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Twice in the last 4 years I have lost a plant to some kind of yellow ants. The eat the roots right off and kill the plants dead.

5/11/2008 11:37:12 PM

Mount Prospect,illinois

Wonderfull,
I will keep an eye on it. I have already started back ups just in case. I grew tomatoes and cucumbers in the place last year with no problem so we will see. There is an old stump below that they may be hanging around in.

5/12/2008 1:22:19 PM

Central Ca

I've found that when I take care of the ants in my patch...it becomes a lot easier to take care of other pests. I'd get rid of them as soon as possible.

5/12/2008 3:04:23 PM

Mount Prospect,illinois

I have ortho max (topical) as well and bayer tree and shrub (systemic) i hope that does the trick without killing a new plant.

5/12/2008 4:51:34 PM

Westford, MA

50% SUGAR 50%BORAX laundry soap(20 Mule Team)
mix them together. sprinkle where you see the ant activity.
They take it back to the nest and good night.
Real safe.
Just have to reapply after rain or heavy moisture,(sugar & soap & H2O = sweet suds.)
kevin

5/19/2008 1:54:09 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Go easy Dave. Ants are probably not harming your plants as badly as some garden chemicals might if applied full strength to young plants.

Good advice from klancy. Low impact, low toxicity cheap, & pretty darn effective.

5/20/2008 12:15:38 AM

Mount Prospect,illinois

sugar and borax....got it. They seem to be leaving the plant alone. And i havent seen any since i planted. I know they are there underground though.

5/23/2008 5:02:47 PM

Mount Prospect,illinois

OK, A bit of a delay but i put the 50 X 50 mix on the ground today. I actually was laughing thinking of a garden full of bubbles if it rains. Klancy and Tremor, thanks again. Who the hell figures out that Borax will work well anyway!!????? :)

6/1/2008 8:54:29 AM

Decatur, IL

Talstar works great on ants, in addition to cuke beetles and squash vine borer moths. I don't know if the strength that you use as a drench to kill ants would hurt your pumpkin plants, though.

6/1/2008 10:41:56 AM