Pattee
1345750012
Posted 1401404636
Reply with quote #1
My daughter called today and she has red ants in one of her potted figs. She has cyprus mulch topping the pot . I had absolutly no clue to get rid of them . Does anyone have any solutions that would be ok for the figs and get rid of those buggers?
Malta Blk+purple/red, Italian + Calabrian UNK's , Catanzaro, Malone, Sucrette(Baud) "We may have our private opinions but why should they be a bar to the meeting of hearts?" - Gandhi
james
1189185103
Posted 1401405222
Reply with quote #2
Wrap the trunk tightly with electrical tarp (sticky side out), then smearthe tape with petroleum jelly. Put the container into a larger and fill with water so the container is completely submerged and the water level falls at the middle of the tape. Leave for several hours . When you see a ball of ants floating in the water, fill the bucket so the water flows over the edge ( the tape / petroleum jelly should be higher than the top of the bucket). Leave for another hour to make sure no more ants float to the top.
2016 Wish List: Dārk Pōrtuguese, Grānthāms Royāl, Lātarolla, Negrettā, Nōire de Bārbentāne, Rockāway Green, Viōlet Sepōr , Viōlette Dā uphine . Iranian figs are always welcome.
Pattee
1345750012
Posted 1401405871
Reply with quote #3
James , thanks so much . I'm hoping she can do this - she has a severe allergic reaction to the bites.
Malta Blk+purple/red, Italian + Calabrian UNK's , Catanzaro, Malone, Sucrette(Baud) "We may have our private opinions but why should they be a bar to the meeting of hearts?" - Gandhi
james
1189185103
Posted 1401407788
Reply with quote #4
I have done this in the past. The tape protects the bark from the petroleum jelly. The ants will want to climb the trunk, but will not cross the petroleum jelly. Also, should remove as much of the mulch before hand. There should be a minimum of stuff floating in the water. The idea is to flush the queen out. When the queen is out, the other ants will surround her and. Keep her from drowning.
2016 Wish List: Dārk Pōrtuguese, Grānthāms Royāl, Lātarolla, Negrettā, Nōire de Bārbentāne, Rockāway Green, Viōlet Sepōr , Viōlette Dā uphine . Iranian figs are always welcome.
Pattee
1345750012
Posted 1401410589
Reply with quote #5
Thanks again James. I'm thinking she will leave them alone . She was freaking out when I told her your first suggestion. :/ I'll tell her to make sure she does the barrier though before the fruit ripens . It's not a large tree so she should be able to wrap the main trunk.
Malta Blk+purple/red, Italian + Calabrian UNK's , Catanzaro, Malone, Sucrette(Baud) "We may have our private opinions but why should they be a bar to the meeting of hearts?" - Gandhi
Figfinatic
1330272993
Posted 1401412720
Reply with quote #6
Here's a new trick I learned from someone. Throw orange peels around your potted fig. They will be gone within a day or two. I tried it and it actually works.
ascpete
1336096379
Posted 1401414695
Reply with quote #7
Pattee,
Aaron4USA
1375832059
Posted 1401428840
Reply with quote #8
I was going to suggest Cinnamon!...Just sprinkle all over the dirt and let it be there, Ants hate Cinnamon.
Pattee
1345750012
Posted 1401455712
Reply with quote #9
Thanks guys ! I'm sure she'll be trying ALL of them lol !! I've written down all the suggestions for future reference in my fig journal too- memory's not what it used to be ...
Malta Blk+purple/red, Italian + Calabrian UNK's , Catanzaro, Malone, Sucrette(Baud) "We may have our private opinions but why should they be a bar to the meeting of hearts?" - Gandhi
DonCentralTexas
1390420422
Posted 1401462132
Reply with quote #10
Wow james, and others those are good things to try! I get them in some of my pots too. Thanks.
cis4elk
1347840383
Posted 1401463754
Reply with quote #11
The water trick works great. I have never used it on larger trees, but I do use it on smaller trees, house plants, and garden transplants that have bugs that I dont want around. The only difference is that I use some sort of mild soap in the water like plain Dawn or Basic H. The soap acts as a surfactant so the little buggers do not float and drowns them pretty fast. I have a really tall bucket (probably about 7 gallons) that I can put small trees into and submerge the whole thing, I push them to the bottom and put a rock on top of the soil to stop the floating. I give them about 30 minutes and then take them out and then rinse/flush thoroughly with clean water. If you can submerge your plant this will take care of any foliage pest like mites, aphids, white flys, ants....I haven't used it for scale, they might need a bit longer.
james
1189185103
Posted 1401518539
Reply with quote #12
Don, I would suggest not using boric acid/Borax. While Boron is a vital micronutrient, it is required in extremely small amounts. I seem to remember reading too much can be very detrimental to your plants.
2016 Wish List: Dārk Pōrtuguese, Grānthāms Royāl, Lātarolla, Negrettā, Nōire de Bārbentāne, Rockāway Green, Viōlet Sepōr , Viōlette Dā uphine . Iranian figs are always welcome.
javajunkie
1362970391
Posted 1401539896
Reply with quote #13
I've used the cinnamon with success. I also put cinnamon on all the newly uppotted cuttings to repel gnats.
