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loquat1

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
Last year it was wasps attacking my (alleged) Gene Vashon. This year it's ants on both my Italian Purple and unidentified TbF (Tasty but Fussy). The last fruit attacked on TbF wasn't even fully ripe - it was only just starting to ripen. Aarrrgghhh. I'm almost starting to wonder if it's worth the constant hassle.

But before I raze the whole lot to the ground, do members have any other ideas for controlling these $#&*%rs, aside from fruit tree grease and gauze bags?
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Hershell

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
Seven dust around the base covered with foil seems to work excellent. I usually spray now to control aphids and scale that are attracting the ants and it kills all three.
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twovkay

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
Read on here from another member here, sorry forgot who, but cinnamon around the base and in pots too. I've tried it and it seems to work. I was able to get a battaglia green Breba before the ants did.
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Otmani007

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
Benny using a combination of Tanglefoot and Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade with success. I've also experimented with coffee grounds and cinnamon with success to a certain degree.
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greenfig

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
A spray of Tabasco sauce mixture helped me to get rid of mine.
It was a side effect since I was spraying against the squirrels
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Chivas

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
Diatomaceious earth works well, if it gets wet you need to re apply, also re apply every 3-5 days when you see activity of ants, I killed a colony of carpenter ants  like this very easily in a couple of weeks.  I just have to figure out how to get them out of my pots.
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DesertDance

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
JD actually likes the ants on the citrus trees.  They lead him to the pests, so he knows where to spray, but I'm not a fan of ants on fig trees, even though I know scale can be a pest on figs.  I noticed a ton of ants on my Paradiso yesterday, so I'm going down there with my cinnamon shaker today.

We get mealy bugs on the citrus, and a blast of water gets most of them.  I don't think they attack figs, but all these suggestions are good!

Suzi
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loquat1

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Posted Reply with quote  #8 
@ Hershall - I assume your sprays are basically pesticides of one sort or another? I might go down that route as a last resort, but generally I prefer not to introduce poison on something that we're gonna eat. But thx for the suggestion anyway - appreciated.

@ the rest - all sound like safer options to me, so I'll be sure to try some (or maybe even all) of these ideas eventually. Thx fellas.

Now where's that duct tape?
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loquat1

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Posted Reply with quote  #9 
@ greenfig  

Quote:
A spray of Tabasco sauce mixture helped me to get rid of mine.
It was a side effect since I was spraying against the squirrels 


That also sounds like an %ing idea. Can you tell me more please? What concentration do you use? And what part do you spray - fruit, trunk?
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Otmani007

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Posted Reply with quote  #10 
Quote:
Originally Posted by loquat1
@ Hershall - I assume your sprays are basically pesticides of one sort or another? I might go down that route as a last resort, but generally I prefer not to introduce poison on something that we're gonna eat. But thx for the suggestion anyway - appreciated.

@ the rest - all sound like safer options to me, so I'll be sure to try some (or maybe even all) of these ideas eventually. Thx fellas.

Now where's that duct tape?


Not sure what you meant exactly by duct tape. If you you opt for Tanglefoot, I'd recommend using tape similar to "Irwin 65903 Flagging Tape". This is what I've been using and ants are nowhere to be seen on my fig trees anymore.
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loquat1

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Posted Reply with quote  #11 
So of the suggested solutions for which I have materials ready to hand, I could try any or all of the following:

1. Shake cinnamon powder around the base of the tree (but what happens after rain - reapply?).
2. Duct tape around the trunk.
3. Spray the fruit with a tabasco solution. Again, reapply after rain?

Have I got that about right?

And longer term, I can get hold of diatomaceous earth and/or Tanglefoot. 
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greenfig

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Posted Reply with quote  #12 
Costas,

My mixture was 1 tbsp per spray bottle, i think about 2 quarts. I sprayed around the base of the trees inside pots and around the pots. There were quite a few ant trails and none now.
When you spray, do not stand against the wind :) it will be like breathing the fire !
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loquat1

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Posted Reply with quote  #13 
@ Otmani - That was Eukofios' idea at #3 above:

Quote:
I was thinking, maybe you could put duct tape around the tree, with the sticky side out, tightly so it doesnt slip.  Overlap so it stays in place.  That might do the same thing.  But you would have to cut it off in a few months so it doesn't girdle the tree.  Not as flexible and stretchy as plastic wrap. 
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Otmani007

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Posted Reply with quote  #14 
Quote:
Originally Posted by loquat1
So of the suggested solutions for which I have materials ready to hand, I could try any or all of the following:

1. Shake cinnamon powder around the base of the tree (but what happens after rain - reapply?).
2. Duct tape around the trunk.
3. Spray the fruit with a tabasco solution. Again, reapply after rain?

Have I got that about right?

And longer term, I can get hold of diatomaceous earth and/or Tanglefoot. 


If I were you, I would start with Tanglefoot. It works 100% and each application may last up to 6 months before you need to reapply.
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Posted Reply with quote  #15 
I start with Permethrin, it is labeled to be sprayed in a horses face and over the top of chickens. It is lethal to most small insects but not citrus mealies. Ants are dead in a few seconds. I it can be sprayed over horses any you know how fussy there owners can be and rightfully so. I consider it safe and I use it sparingly. I don't think I would spray fruit that I would be eating soon but around the roots and pots and ants are history. Otherwise I spray everything if needed. Always it is a judgement call, no more than needed.
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loquat1

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Posted Reply with quote  #16 
Thx Otmani. That's one solution I'm def. gonna try. By the time I get it tho., several more of my figs are gonna bite the dust. I wanted to try some of the other ideas in the meantime coz I already have the necessary ingredients.
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Costas
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Posted Reply with quote  #17 
Costas,

I reapply when I see ants again. We have been getting T-showers almost everyday and I'm not reapplying everyday. I'm also thinking of brushing some of the cinnamon onto the bottom of the trunk up about 3-4 inches.
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loquat1

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Posted Reply with quote  #18 
@ Hershell - Not quite sure what you mean by furry horse owners. But that aside, your pesticide sounds like it might be safe after a while because I assume from its name that it's pyrethrin-based. So might well give it a go as a last resort. Still prefer to try the non-toxic ideas first tho. 
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loquat1

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Posted Reply with quote  #19 
@ twovkay - logical as ever.
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BLB

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Posted Reply with quote  #20 
Ants don't like mint. I haven't tried putting mint around a fig tree but it might work
loquat1

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Posted Reply with quote  #21 
@ BLB 

Quote:
Ants don't like mint. I haven't tried putting mint around a fig tree but it might work


Damn. Threw out a whole lot just 2-3 weeks ago. If only I'd known.
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loquat1

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Posted Reply with quote  #22 
Just my luck. Amazon UK is out of stock re. Tanglefoot. They have some VITAX grease tho, which I assume is similar? In which case, might as well use some grease I might still have in the garage from a couple years ago.
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loquat1

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Posted Reply with quote  #23 
@ twovkay - How do you get cinnamon to stay on the trunk?
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Hershell

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Posted Reply with quote  #24 
Fussy. Very protective.
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loquat1

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Posted Reply with quote  #25 
@ Hershell

Quote:
Fussy. Very protective. 


Shoudda guessed that's what you meant.  If r was next to s on the keyboard, I woudda got it straight off.
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Costas
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Posted Reply with quote  #26 
Autocorrect.
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twovkay

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Posted Reply with quote  #27 
Costas, I just brush it on with a pastry brush, not all of it will stick. I forgot to mention, I also sprinkle a little on the unripen figs. And its seems like if you are a little heavy handed like I am, the cinnamon will stay even after a shower or two.
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loquat1

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Posted Reply with quote  #28 
@ Hershell - Do you mean predictive text perhaps? I'd switch that damn nuisance off. Still, amusing what it comes up with sometimes.
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Costas
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Posted Reply with quote  #29 
Orange peels around the base. It works.
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loquat1

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Posted Reply with quote  #30 
@ twovkay - Thx, useful to know.
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loquat1

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Posted Reply with quote  #31 
@ FF
Quote:
Orange peels around the base. It works


Funnily enough, also heard of this as a measure against slugs. Didn't know about ants tho. Again, thrown out so much recently - no sense of timing.
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Costas
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Posted Reply with quote  #32 
You can find Tanglefoot at home and garden stores or feed and seed stores. Just be careful and not get it where you don't want it, it is messy and hard to get off of your hands or anything else. It is a great solution though. I actually like ants in the soil surrounding my plants though, as part of the life in the soil that areates and brings organic matter into the earth. Someone even suggested that ants deter nematodes, though I don't know if it is true. Watch out for fire ants though if they are in your area since they will sting.

Mike in Hanover, VA
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Charlie

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Posted Reply with quote  #33 
Taking notes.  We have fire ants and some really obnoxious other kind that recently migrated in.   
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loquat1

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Posted Reply with quote  #34 
@ MGorski - Well, I don't necessarily wanna kill the &*%$£rs; just keep 'em off my figs. Pretty sure we don't have fire ants here in the UK. Ours are pretty tame by comparison with some of the exotic species you have over there. I was stung the other day by an ant, & it was barely noticeable.

Anyway, found some Vitax grease in the garage. It's almost black in color, looks very icky, & smells oily. Guess it will do until I can get hold of some Tanglefoot. But £75 (around $120) for a 15oz tub? What's all that about? Sounds a bit exorbitant to me. Is it made from Beluga Caviar?
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Costas
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Posted Reply with quote  #35 
Hey Costas, I forgot that your were in the U.K., not sure if Tanglefoot is available there in stores. Ants will get stuck to the tanglefoot, so some will die, but it wont be a toxin wiping out an ant colony. I think tanglefoot is some kind of modified tree resin. I've never heard of Vitax greese. That price you found can't possibly be right...I have bought it, and I seldom buy anything that seems too high priced. Have you looked on eBay? In my experience products on Amazon are often more expensive than on eBay.

Mike in Hanover, VA
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eboone

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Posted Reply with quote  #36 
Re: permethrin for ants

Permethrin should not be ingested but it is a pretty safe chemical to touch - it is used topically as a medicine against lice and scabies in humans
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loquat1

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Posted Reply with quote  #37 
Hey Mike,

It's available from Amazon thru a seller shown as Keren Best Shop, here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tanglefoot-300000684-Tree-Outdoor-Maintenance/dp/B00KHJJICA/ref=sr_1_6?s=outdoors&ie=UTF8&qid=1406501696&sr=1-6&keywords=Tanglefoot

Also now showing as being in stock, but still listed at £75.00 for a 15oz tub. That looks like an outrageous price to me - $126.00 approx. equivalent. As you say, can't possibly be right, but there it is. Love my figs, but dunno if I wanna spend that much to keep the blighters off. I'll check other sellers just to make sure this is the 'right' price for the UK. Maybe shipping bumps it up quite a bit?

Yeah, I get how it works - basically the same as the Vitax grease here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vitax-Fruit-Tree-Grease-200g/dp/B004FB4S3U/ref=sr_1_2?s=outdoors&ie=UTF8&qid=1406501696&sr=1-2&keywords=Tanglefoot

Only problem I have is that it doesn't mention ants, so not sure if it's effective against them. Still, I guess it's worth a try. And at least the price is not stratospheric. Probably have just enough to treat my trees anyway, & I think this one is oil-based rather than tree resin.

The other thing that worries me about the grease is long-term damage to the bark/trunk, but I think I can mitigate that by using the duct tape idea with it.

As usual, thx for all the tips guys (& gals). There are a lot of ideas there I can try before I resort to spraying.
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Posted Reply with quote  #38 
Hi loquat1,
Did you recently throw some lemons away as well ?
Buy lemons, and put the juice on the bark and leave the peals around the base of the trees.
Last year, the ants got 2 dalmatie brebas and they couldn't touch them this year.
Ants do communicate through acid/chemic messages and lemon juice disturbs that, causing them to attack one another ...
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loquat1

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Posted Reply with quote  #39 
Wow jdsf, that is some tip! No, we never throw fruit away - as long as it's still edible. I was referring to the orange/tangerine peel and mint that we recently threw out around fig-ripening time. I now know better.

Yes, we have plenty of lemons, and the idea of disrupting their information superhighway is very appealing. Making them fight among themselves is better still. Thanks a lot for the tip - one more weapon to add to my chemical arsenal. 

PS I assume you're not ribbin' me???
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greenfig

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Posted Reply with quote  #40 
That's funny but my Meyer lemon tree is always full of ants!
Are they a special breed?
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loquat1

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Posted Reply with quote  #41 
AHA! So jdsf was ribbin' me? Shame. It sounded such a neat idea.

Even so, I think I'm beginning to detect a pattern here. Foodstuffs with pungent or volatile constituents (orange peel, mint, cinnamon, Tabasco, etc) can disrupt ant signalling agents. So I hafta wonder, could onion or garlic work on the same premise? Might try that as well just out of curiosity, & possibly add yet another chemical weapon to my list of options.
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Otmani007

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Posted Reply with quote  #42 
What? $126 for - 15 oz Tub? I paid exactly $12.14 for - 15 oz Tub. Of Tanglefoot. You may wanna look it up on eBay.
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loquat1

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Posted Reply with quote  #43 
Yeah I know - crazy price. But that's what it says. Will def. look for alternative sources. I'm sure I can do better than that.
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Posted Reply with quote  #44 
Hi loquat1,
I didn't see your question earlier: I was serious . At least, I'm doing it - it is night already here, I can't snap a pic but I do do it . I have lemon quarts near plants that get infected by ants.
Especially I did lay some near my "dalmatie tree1" and all I can say is that no breba was touched by an ant this year.
But you're free not to do . Give it a try and let me know .
@greenfig: I suppose your Meyer's is not making split open lemons ... or ?
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loquat1

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Posted Reply with quote  #45 
Hmm, well in that case............sure, I'll try that too. Sorry I ever doubted you. The devil made me do it.
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Posted Reply with quote  #46 
if you have lizards around, encourage them. i've been watching them here. ants seem to make up most, if not all of their diet.

it's cool to watch a lizard's head dart down, over n over when he locates some ants. since these ants are teeny, i bet it takes thousands every day to feed a lizard.
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wish list:  nothing. i can't grow cuttings  . right now, i have  6 trees showing no signs of fmv. i'd like to keep it that way' 

i was told that if i couldn't deal with fmv, i should grow peaches, so i got a peach tree to live with my clean figs.
loquat1

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Posted Reply with quote  #47 
No lizards around here I'm afraid Susie, except for those tiny salamander thingummy watchamacallthem type. This is London suburbia, don't forget, not the Gobi desert. No, I think my best bets are chemical disruption/warfare and/or physical barrier-type solutions.

But thx for the tip. Next time I see a lizzie, I'll be sure to introduce myself & make it feel at home.
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Posted Reply with quote  #48 
If you use Tanglefoot, be sure to read the label. It says that it should not be applied directly to young or fruit bearing trees. You are supposed to wrap the trunk with waterproof paper and only apply the Tanglefoot to the paper. 

The ingredients say it is 25% natural gum resins and 75% carnauba wax. Doesn't sound very toxic to me, but there must be some reason for the warning. 
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loquat1

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Posted Reply with quote  #49 
Thx for heads-up CyberF. Yeah, got that info. reading around a few sites. I intended to adapt one of the ideas above that suggested duct tape, & splodge it all over that. Just gotta be careful I don't inadvertently girdle the tree.

Surprised I couldn't find any UK suppliers offering it for less than $100 tho. Amazon shows unavailable again, & only source at a reasonable price (around $30 after shipping & import duties are added) is a US supplier. But before I order any, gonna give my grease a try - might well work.
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loquat1

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Posted Reply with quote  #50 
jdsf says:

Quote:
 Give it a try and let me know .


Last straw - Just found 2 more ant-damaged figs, so time now to deploy some anti-ant measures. As its the wackiest suggestion here, gonna start with jdsf's suggestion @ #39. It just sounds so cool - if it works. And on another tree (as a kinda experimental control), I'll try a combi of duct tape (#3) dusted with cinnamon (#18 & 28).

The most effective measure will then go head to head in the next round against another suggestion  - probably Tabasco sauce. I should be able to isolate the best solutions eventually, and holding the grease in reserve for now. 

Will def. let you know results jdsf, and anybody else who might also be %ed.
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