mspam3
enthusiast
Posts: 2193
Loc: Allen TX
Reg: 03-10-07
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05-01-12 05:01 PM - Post#148746
We have 2 areas where ants march back and forth on the concrete. They aren't fire ants, they are much smaller. Is there a organic way to get rid of them and their nests? I just don't want the dog to get into any pesticides. Thanks in advance!
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cp
enthusiast
Posts: 195
Reg: 12-14-11
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05-01-12 06:42 PM - Post#148755
In response to mspam3
We have 2 areas where ants march back and forth on the concrete. They aren't fire ants, they are much smaller. Is there a organic way to get rid of them and their nests? I just don't want the dog to get into any pesticides. Thanks in advance!
I'd love to know, as well, since the ants go marching one by one, hoorah!, on my sidewalks too. It's very puzzling since I've used whatever ant killer was here when we moved in. I've applied it a few times, even spraying the ants away with the nozzle. Still, they furiously return...
| "In religion and politics people's beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second-hand, and without examination..." -Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain |
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denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 8753
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
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05-02-12 07:15 AM - Post#148790
In response to cp
I don't have a problem with regular ants, but had a fire ant problem and used the Gardenville Anti-Fuego on the mounds - 1/2 cup per gallon of water as a drench and it got rid of the fire ants. Unless they are getting into your house, they should not be a problem. Because of the mild winter we had, there will be a lot more bugs this season. If the ants are getting into your house, then you could put some DE (Diatomaceous Earth) around your foundation. I even sprinkle a little in the weep holes. It has to be applied after your sprinklers run or after a rain, but the little bits of DE cut into the bodies of crawling insects to help keep them out. Broadcasting a fire ant bait over the property will also help (controls fire ants).
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BrianGallimore
member
Posts: 82
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 04-25-07
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05-02-12 09:13 AM - Post#148805
In response to denisew
I spot treat ant problems by spraying them with orange oil mixture. I try to leave them alone whenever possible (except the fire ants). They are there for a reason, so I try to let nature do its thing.
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denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 8753
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
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05-02-12 10:31 AM - Post#148812
In response to BrianGallimore
Yep. I agree that the regular ants are there for a reason and unless they are getting in your house, they can be left alone. But, make sure you don't have fire ants. Those need to be treated as described above.
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KOKJ
member
Posts: 56
Reg: 11-27-08
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05-03-12 02:01 AM - Post#148927
In response to denisew
I have been seeing what I believe to be "crazy ants." Does anyone else have these on their property? They can swarm like fire ants when disturbed but they don't bite. They're annoying just because of their presence. They move fast, slow and erratically.
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Don4
enthusiast
Posts: 368
Loc: Allen 1993
Reg: 04-11-06
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05-03-12 07:49 AM - Post#148931
In response to KOKJ
Crazy Ants
They've been around for a while, but probably more prevalent since the past winter was mild.
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denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 8753
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
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05-03-12 10:52 AM - Post#148945
In response to Don4
The last time I asked about these, they haven't made it this far north . . . yet.
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acs815
enthusiast
Posts: 225
Reg: 06-08-07
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05-03-12 03:53 PM - Post#148959
In response to mspam3
A friend of mine swears by just pouring a pot of boiling water into the nest. I haven't tried it, but she does it and it seems to work for her.
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denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 8753
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
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05-04-12 06:34 AM - Post#148985
In response to acs815
Yes, that will kill some of the ants, but not all. I have tried it on the mounds I had my front yard. The ones that survive move all the dead bodies to the top of the mound and then recreate the mound even after multiple drenchings with boiling water. The orange oil mixed with all the other stuff in the Anti-Fuego is what finally did it for my fire ant problem.
Allen Garden Club
www.allengardenclub.org
"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." - Mother Teresa |
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rock761
enthusiast
Posts: 339
Loc: Allen, TX USA
Reg: 03-14-00
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05-04-12 10:55 AM - Post#148999
In response to denisew
Any suggestions for getting rid of the little tiny sugar ants that have suddenly appeared in my kitchen/upstairs bath (both on the same outside wall of our house)? We put down ant killer in the yard and I think it drove them in?
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denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 8753
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
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05-04-12 11:01 AM - Post#149002
In response to rock761
Try the DE around your foundation and in the weep holes of the brick. If you know where their mound is at you could also dust that real well with the DE. A drench on the mound with some orange oil might help. If you can figure out where they are getting in, apply more DE there too.
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kathy
enthusiast
Posts: 425
Reg: 02-24-02
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05-04-12 11:24 AM - Post#149004
In response to denisew
I have heard putting grits on the mound works ,the ants eat the the grits and poof no more ants.
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denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 8753
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
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05-04-12 02:07 PM - Post#149013
In response to kathy
That doesn't work. Here is documentation I found from TAMU: "Grits and Malt-O-Meal: "Applying instant grits or Malt-O-meal to dry soil around mounds is reported to have impressive results" (Garrett, H. 1993. page 140 in Howard Garrett's Texas Organic Gardening Book, Gulf Publishing Company, Houston, Texas, 245 pp.). In theory, the ants eat the grits which then swell and rupture the ants' stomachs. In fact, only the last stage of the developing fire ant is known to ingest solid food. All other life stages feed only on liquids, sugary solutions or greasy materials. Fire ant workers are physically incapable of ingesting solid food particles larger than 1.0 μm diameter in size (J. M. Petti, 1997. Proceedings of the 1997 Imported Fire Ant Research Conference). Note: This method has not been shown to control fire ants."
http://fireant.tamu.edu/materials/factsheets_ pubs/...
Now, this specifically talks about using it for fire ants, but I would think it would be the same for just about any ant.
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rock761
enthusiast
Posts: 339
Loc: Allen, TX USA
Reg: 03-14-00
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05-04-12 05:44 PM - Post#149022
In response to denisew
I can't find the mound. I am thinking it's in the wall. Any recomendation for an inside treatment.
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denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 8753
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
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05-05-12 11:13 AM - Post#149041
In response to rock761
You might need to contact a pest control expert if they are in your wall. There is some stuff they can put in where your electrical outlets are located that will help control those ants.
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Lisatexmom
enthusiast
Posts: 757
Reg: 01-19-05
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05-08-12 11:29 AM - Post#149130
In response to denisew
I have used cayenne pepper before and it seemed to work for a little bit, until they found a new route.
| Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and be my friend. - Albert Camus |
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javaprincess
member
Posts: 63
Reg: 06-01-10
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05-22-12 01:56 PM - Post#149657
In response to Lisatexmom
Well I have two potted blueberry plants in my backyard patio. I noticed there are aphids on the branches and ants running up and down and all around.
Someone online mentioned cinnamon powder. I just got some out of my pantry, and sprinkled on the soil around the plants. Voila!! The next day I couldn't find another ant.
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