Ants! Aughhhh

[Mugsie]

Anyone have any sure fire way of getting ants out of orchid pots? Multiple colonies have taken up residence in numerous pots in my GH. I would like to eliminate them now before the plants come in for the winter. Thoughts?

[estación seca]

You'll need to clear one table at a time. Remove all the plants. Put dishes under table legs and keep them filled with water and a little soap (so mosquito larvae drown.) Treat each plant by submerging it in water until the ants stop emerging. Put the treated plants back on the table, making sure they don't touch plants on other tables, and they don't touch the structure.

[Leafmite]

Bonide Captain Jack's Bug & Slug Killer Granules For Insects, 1.5 lb. Long Lasting Protection, For Organic Gardening, Safe for Pets

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

This worked for me. It does not kill all types of ants but it was effective for the different types of ants that build colonies in my plant pots. I bought it for the slugs and not having any ants was a great bonus. I do not have slugs this year (very dry) but will use it before I bring the plants inside this autumn.

Ants are a pain. I tried soaking them in soapy water, putting fresh leaves of wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) on top of the soil (ants swarm, move to another pot), various sprays and DE. They seem to survive all of this somehow.

The old formula of Sevin powder (from about twenty years ago) that we mixed up for fruit trees was super effective. Some of the newer poisons are safer but do not work as well. Rose systemic, granular, might work on some types of ants. Setting out baits (Terro for the sweet seeking ants) might help. I get the grease ants moving into my pots, too as my plant set up is a perfect ant habitat.

Good luck!

[Mugsie]

Thanks Leafmite. These are the small "pavement" ants. They apparently go after the nectar the plants exude. They seem to be in many many pots. In fact, some from one pot are protesting because another pot is working their area! I will pick up some of the captain Jacks insecticide and try that. You haven't had it affect the orchids have you? Watering it in is ok? Thanks again, Leafmite, and you too Estación seca.