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» Willy World » Gardening Reference » Gardening in 2007 » Ants!

   
Author Topic: Ants!
AgnusDeiHmschl
Garden Helper
Member # 11525

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I've got my garden all tilled up and recently covered it with black plastic. It's not the very thick, shiny black plastic, but thin. It's water proof, too.
When I tilled up the bed, I did hit an ant bed but I thought they'd move on after the plastic went on...well they havent't! They're happy as can be and flourishing under it! Should I just leave them be and hope they'll move along or do I need to go ahead and put down some poison? And what kind of insecticide do you put down? Will the ants actually ruin my veggie garden? I don't plan on planting for another three weeks.
Any advice would be appreciated!
Thanks,
JoAnn

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Check out the adventures of a first time gardener at:
http://creamerchronicles.blogspot.com

Posts: 16 | From: South Texas | Registered: Jan 2007  |  Logged: 12.196.72.192
MLN
Dream Gardener
Member # 11611

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Agnus--I see you are in Texas. Good chance you have the same problem I do--fire ants. I hate those little beggars and they do ruin growing things. I've even had them kill young trees I've tried to get started on my place [Mad] A friend of mine who owns a nursery recommended a type of poison that doesn't harm your plants and since you don't have any food items growing in your garden yet, it should be safe to use. It's:

Surrender Brand Fire Ant Killer
75% acephate
1 lb. can that treats up to 108 mounds

It only takes a teaspoon applied to the center of the mound early in the morning when they are beginning to get active. It has worked real well for me. I use it in my flowerbeds too and it doesn't kill the flowers. The biggest drawback to it is that it smells awful [shocked]

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Nature Lover

Posts: 334 | From: Vicksburg, Mississippi | Registered: Jan 2007  |  Logged: 70.157.27.79
AgnusDeiHmschl
Garden Helper
Member # 11525

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Thanks MLN!
I'll be on the lookout for that poison!

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Check out the adventures of a first time gardener at:
http://creamerchronicles.blogspot.com

Posts: 16 | From: South Texas | Registered: Jan 2007  |  Logged: 216.206.72.194
papito
Super Gardener
Member # 1346

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Here's another source:

Do-it-Yourself Pest Control Products for the Homeowner

http://www.diypesticides.com/

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Amor est vitae essentia.
Love is the essence of life.

Posts: 932 | From: Northern California, Zone 9b | Registered: Jul 2003  |  Logged: 75.6.226.200
   

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