So far I've been pretty lucky with the pest population in my garden... but I've noticed that I do have little ants hanging out with my Okra. They look like what we call 'sugar ants' but I'm afraid I don't know what the technical name for them is!
What do I need to use to make them go away? I'd like to stick to the organic options if possible.
Thanks!
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- somegeek
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Odorous ants. We have them in our home during the cold months. They like to consume Terro Ant Killer (syrup type). In my yard, I disregard them. On my counter, they need to be eliminated.Pypersmom wrote:So far I've been pretty lucky with the pest population in my garden... but I've noticed that I do have little ants hanging out with my Okra. They look like what we call 'sugar ants' but I'm afraid I don't know what the technical name for them is!
What do I need to use to make them go away? I'd like to stick to the organic options if possible.
Thanks!
- applestar
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Well, they don't eat anything themselves -- they sometimes crawl inside flowers to lick up nectar. Some plants exude sweet sap -- like peony flower buds. They way they DO damage your garden is by "herding" aphids. They tend them, carry them around and put them "out to pasture" -- on your vegetables, fruit trees, and prize roses -- and defend them from aphid predators so they can "milk" them for their "honeydew" -- drops of sweet liquid exuded from their behind.
Any noticeable ant activity usually signifies aphid infestation, especially if you see them marching up and down a plant. That said, they're also part of nature's clean-up crew.
Any noticeable ant activity usually signifies aphid infestation, especially if you see them marching up and down a plant. That said, they're also part of nature's clean-up crew.