ANTS!!??!!??

[Zildjian]

Originally Posted by Eyebabe

This is the main reason to keep the ant population under control. The ants themselves rarely harm orchids; they do however farm insects that do. The aphids and mealy bugs produce the honeydew substance they are interested in and thus there is a symbiosis of which they are taking advantage.

Primarily you want to prevent a colony from moving into the plant. But a stray or two is only a concern as to alert you to examine the plants' media of your collection and throw down another trap or two.

Carnivorous plants may also be an option

hmm pitcher plant on the same pot with the orchid. would that be fine?

[Call_Me_Bob]

lol so dont be worried? im afraid of getting bit!

[got ants]

Originally Posted by help

lol so dont be worried? im afraid of getting bit!

In the US, most often an ant bite is from a fire ant, and not really a bite, but rather a sting. They can be distinguished by their reddish colour.

Mostly though, fire ants are ground dwellers and not often seen up in potted plants, unless your pots sit on the ground.

If you DO have fire ants, a little Andros sprinkled around the pot (not in it) will eliminate them.

You can eliminate most ants with simple remedies like a spritz with alcohol, or a dusting with cinnamon.

[Zildjian]

Originally Posted by got ants

In the US, most often an ant bite is from a fire ant, and not really a bite, but rather a sting. They can be distinguished by their reddish colour.

Mostly though, fire ants are ground dwellers and not often seen up in potted plants, unless your pots sit on the ground.

If you DO have fire ants, a little Andros sprinkled around the pot (not in it) will eliminate them.

You can eliminate most ants with simple remedies like a spritz with alcohol, or a dusting with cinnamon.

Cinammon! Great! I don't know it keeps ants away as well. Ants are the reason why developing buds of my dendro and phals gets dried up and drop.

[Royal]

Ant activity will make the potting mix break down faster, and can make the medium extremely acidic. As Phillip said, some orchids enjoy the company, but I would prefer if they stay away.

[Call_Me_Bob]

what should i do then?

[Royal]

I try to keep them out but it is a constant struggle. I use baits and grandules that "kill the colony" to keep them in check, but since most of my collection goes outside for most of the year ants are a constant nuisance. More frequent repotting is a fact of life for me due to bugs and other factors.

[rogerman]

In my small nursery i have an ant problem too of slightly larger proportions. I have red fire ants lol. I have them under control by spraying all 10,000 plants with insecticide......As well as the ground under the plants and everything around them and the Mango tree and...and...and........ well it just keeps going

[stefpix]

what about soaking the medium with a mix of coffee and nicotiana leaves tea? Tobacco plants have some insecticide/ repellent properties and possibly caffeine too

[rogerman]

well it has been raining for an hour now....i'd say i don't have too much of an ant problem for a while now