Garden of Ants

[Rick_R]

I was getting ready to have some seeds go into my square foot garden (raised beds) when I noticed one corner of one of the raised beds has become an ant bed. It hasn't mounded, but I think the bed is an extension of one I noticed to the side of SFG raised bed. I have four SFG beds, each 4X4, and all on a concrete pad; the mound is just off the pad.

I was pulling a weed and in doing so disturbed the soil and also disturbed several hundred ants. With a stick I did a little more stirring and one entire corner (nearest the mound) is filled with thousands of ants. If the type of ant matters, I took a photo, which can be seen here:

http://www.bodock.org/blogimages/ants.jpg

I need to get the ants out of the bed without having them just move next door to the neighboring bed, and hopefully do so fairly quickly. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Rick

[Grey]

I have the same problem. So far, the boiling water method hasn't worked.

Anything wrong with using something like Amdro, guys? Mine just keep spreading.

[opabinia51]

Ants are actually beneficial to gardens but, they are definatley not aesthetically pleasurable. I acutually know of no organic way to be rid of them.

Amdro? I'll look that up, be back in a few minutes................


That was quick;

Okay, apparently Amdro is listed under the category of a Bad Actor Pesticide meaning that it is a known or possible carcinogen, can be a reproductive developmental toxicant, a neurotoxin (cholinesterase inhibitor) (Cholinesterase is just a Neurotransmitter substance which are used to transfer syanpses between neighbouring neurons), is also a known ground water contaminant and also includes pesticides with acute, high toxicity.

I have not found the active ingredient yet but, I'll keep looking.

[opabinia51]

Oops, anyway here is some more precise information on the product:

The active ingredient is:

Hydramethylnon

It is a PAN Bad Actor Chemical and has slight acute toxicity. It is a possible carcinogen but, it is not actively designated as one. It is not a Cholinesterase inhibitor (whew!), It is a huge development/reproductive toxin. Furthermore, studies have not yet determined whether or not it is an endocrine disruptor but, studies have shown that Hydramethynon is is an acute aquatic toxin

My recomondation would be to NOT use this chemical.

[Grey]

Well that was quick!

Any ideas on how to get rid of them buggers? I have a bed full of the red/fire ants. Can't keep those around!

[opabinia51]

As said, I know of no organic ways to get rid of them so, though I don't like to recommend it but, I would find some sort of poison that is not to harsh on the environment.

That Amdro definately is not something that is good for the environment. Maybe Scott will have a good recomondation.

[Grey]

Usually the boiling water trick works.

My hubby's favoite method isn't so good on the environment either. It may kill the ants, but it also does a number on the GROUND - as in, nothing will grow there again for years.

[underthemagnolia]

FWIW, if you decide to go the chemical route, you want something that's going to work, the first time and last a while. since my neighbors and I all agree that our neighborhood is one entire ant hill that we've foolishly built homes on, we co-ordinate to roll our yards all at the same time with the same (very effective) treatment. It's by Sevin and it comes in a blue and silver bag. We do it once in the spring and that's enough for the entire year. This is my first year with a veg bed, but it's raised way up off the ground and I'm not worried the toxicity issue. Frankly it would be darn near impossible to work the back yard at all if we didn't treat for fireants! Those guys are brutal.

[opabinia51]

Before rushing out and buying a bag of SEVIN, read the thread on SEVIN in the General topics forum.

[Grey]

I suppose a natural way to dispose of these guys is to get a shovel and toss the dirt with these guys in the woods somewhere. Except mine are entanged with the wood of the planting box!

Which of course also means hubby's favorite pyro method will not work either.

[opabinia51]

That's how my uncle used to dispose of hornets nests. A cloth soaked in kerosene and a lighter and .... Poof! No more hornets. YIKES!

[Grey]

I think DH finds it fun to kill off ants that way.

[The Helpful Gardener]

Easy kids, let's not get carried away. We'll be mixing napalm next...

Borax was Grandma's old weapon but didn't Opa just post something on Boron?

I have heard diatomaceous earth can be effective as it actually pierces exoskeleton and they exsanguinate. That will actually help with that Georgia clay some too...Worth a try...

HG

[opabinia51]

Did I? I don't remember. When I have time, I'll look Boron up and post a synopsis in the general forum.

[Grey]

Napalm? US????

NAAAAAAAWWWWWW.

that diomaceous earth is also good for controlling fleas in your home from your doggies.