Ants in the greenhouse
 

Hello to all,
1st post and new member here from Va. Short & sweet, in my small greenhouse I have an ongoing ant problem. I have tried insectcidal soap spray, ant traps and removing the affected plant and repotting it outside the greenhouse. I still have the ants returning to a different pot or sometime the same pot that was previously affected. In the greenhouse are 3 Phal., 2 Den., 1 Cat. (mounted on wood),1 very large epidendrum & 1 ??? along with some houseplants, cacti, & live spanish moss. During the cold weather months the ants are more active. I was thinking possibly a carniverous plant like a venus fly trap or maybe some praying mantis' Any one have any thoughts?

Here's a couple of "home remedies" to try:

Melt about 1/4 pound of candle wax, then slowly stir in about 1/4 cup sugar and 4 ounces boric acid powder (available at your local drug store). When thoroughly mixed, pour into a pan, creating a 1/4" to 1/2" thick slab. Cut or break into chunks, and distribute around the greenhouse.

This one was suggested to me by someone in the deep south: aspartame! You know...Nutrasweet, the sugar substitute? Apparently it is attractive to them, is taken back to the colony, and kills the lot. This one is even supposed to be effective against fire ants. You may find it necessary to dampen the powder or granules to make it attractive to the critters.

Ray's suggestions are really good. I use a type of trap that is a sugar/borax mixture. The traps/chunks work best if you put them where you see the ants. Use plenty of traps/chunks. Soaking each pot overnight in a laundry tub, completely submerged, gets rid of the ones living in the pots. I did this a few times with my citrus. They don't seem to like my artesimia (wormwood) and so that has proved an effective weapon. Good luck!

Ray, thanks for the input. I've heard of something similiar using DE diatomaceous earth. Something along the lines of the ants injesting the borax or DE. I'll have to give it a try and I'll report back. Thanks,
Greg

i use the ant traps....not great but it mostly works....when i find a nest i take it out of the gh and clean it well and repot....so far this year hasnt been bad, or they are pretty well killed by the systemic bonide i been using plus the seven/insecticidal soap mixture.....alternating chemicals.....but i keep those traps around anyway....cant hurt....my gh is in nc so we probly have similar conditions.....gl