Managing ant infestation in outdoor orchids

[loisgb]

Hello Orchid Community! This beginner without a green thumb would like to know how to control ant infestations in several varieties of orchids hung from a tree on the north side of my Southwest Florida yard. The infestations seem to be sporadic, often appearing during extended periods of rain.

[The3birds]

I live in south east Florida and I have noticed this phenomenon also especially with frequent rain, but I have not seen any adverse affects from this so I have let them be. I would check to make sure you don't have aphids on your orchids though because ants are drawn to the sweet refuge the aphids deposit. If it really bothers you to have them try putting an insecticide or barrier around the post/tree they are hanging on.

[loisgb]

Thanks, 3Birds, for your quick post re ants on outside orchids. I feel better knowing that they apparently don't have any harmful effects on the plants.

[Cym Ladye]

Ants should not be allowed free roam in your orchids. There was a thread several weeks ago on this. (Search Ants!!!!! on the Forum Menu bar) Basically, these little critters have dirty feet, carry bacteria and fungus, and farm aphids and scale.

Any ant powder placed at the base of your orchid should discourage/dispatch them.

CL

[loisgb]

Originally Posted by Cym Ladye

Ants should not be allowed free roam in your orchids. There was a thread several weeks ago on this. (Search Ants!!!!! on the Forum Menu bar) Basically, these little critters have dirty feet, carry bacteria and fungus, and farm aphids and scale.

Any ant powder placed at the base of your orchid should discourage/dispatch them.

CL

Thanks, Cym, for posting a solution to my ant problem.

[james mickelso]

Ants equal bad growing conditions. The ants most likely live under your driveway/house foundation and can have serious consequences for your orchids. They carry all manner of disease and blights. Get rid of them as soon as you can. There are many good ant baits you can buy. Not only place these around your orchids but around your house foundation/driveway.

[loisgb]

Thank you, james mickelso, for your advice. The foundation of my home is regularly sprayed to protect against pests, including ants, as is the garden area below the tree where several orchids are hanging. But I will put ant bait around the orchid plants, themselves, as you suggest. Thankfully, even though we've had rain showers recently, I haven't noticed ants on these particular orchids.

[Eyebabe]

Ditto! No ants. Period.

[Ray]

When I first moved to SC (no greenhouse), I grew my plants on the ground under the pines.

Upon repotting, I found them infested with fire ants, as they climbed up my arm during unpotting.

Out came the Orthene.

[loisgb]

Thanks, Ray, for your succinct advice.