Ants

[Jeff Layman]

A plague year, it would appear!

They are everywhere, although fortunately not inside the house. The
greenhouse is infested. There appear to be several nests, and perhaps
half-a-dozen pots have been partially excavated of soil, with a couple
of plants not looking too good - perhaps from lack of water around the
roots. The "flying" ants have appeared from several sites.

I'm not so concerned about underground nests, but the excavation of soil
from pots is not to be tolerated. Next year, instead of just using
crocks to cover the drainage holes, I'll use weedproof membrane first.
I've tried that before, and know that ants cannot get through it. I
wonder if it's worth trying a couple of "sacrificial" pots that the ants
can move into and leave the other ones alone.

[tahiri]

Post by Jeff Layman
A plague year, it would appear!
They are everywhere, although fortunately not inside the house. The
greenhouse is infested. There appear to be several nests, and perhaps
half-a-dozen pots have been partially excavated of soil, with a couple
of plants not looking too good - perhaps from lack of water around the
roots. The "flying" ants have appeared from several sites.
I'm not so concerned about underground nests, but the excavation of soil
from pots is not to be tolerated. Next year, instead of just using
crocks to cover the drainage holes, I'll use weedproof membrane first.
I've tried that before, and know that ants cannot get through it. I
wonder if it's worth trying a couple of "sacrificial" pots that the ants
can move into and leave the other ones alone.

Yes, a very bad year. There are still ants emerging from every crack
between the greenhouse floor slabs. I am curious that you find weedproof
membrane sufficient - what stops the ants coming up the sides of the
pots and in at the top?

[Jeff Layman]

Post by tahiri

Post by Jeff Layman
A plague year, it would appear!
They are everywhere, although fortunately not inside the house. The
greenhouse is infested. There appear to be several nests, and perhaps
half-a-dozen pots have been partially excavated of soil, with a couple
of plants not looking too good - perhaps from lack of water around the
roots. The "flying" ants have appeared from several sites.
I'm not so concerned about underground nests, but the excavation of soil
from pots is not to be tolerated. Next year, instead of just using
crocks to cover the drainage holes, I'll use weedproof membrane first.
I've tried that before, and know that ants cannot get through it. I
wonder if it's worth trying a couple of "sacrificial" pots that the ants
can move into and leave the other ones alone.

Yes, a very bad year. There are still ants emerging from every crack
between the greenhouse floor slabs. I am curious that you find weedproof
membrane sufficient - what stops the ants coming up the sides of the
pots and in at the top?

There's nothing to stop the ants climbing the sides of the pots, but in
my experience they don't do it, entering only from the drainage holes in
the base. In fact, the tell-tale sign of the presence of ants is a ring
of excavated soil around the bottom of the pot, extending under it if
the pot has been raised on feet. They then dig throughout the pot,
building tunnels leading to the surface so the winged ants can escape.

A layer, or perhaps better two layers, of weedproof membrane covering
all the drainage holes, with a piece of crock to hole the membrane down,
should be enough to dissuade them. Well, I hope so...

Like you, I find them coming up between the paving; they're sensitive to
the slightest vibration and pour out as soon as I step on one stone.
Unfortunately, even soaking the greenhouse soil for ages doesn't seem to
get water to the dry areas under the paving. I think that I'll have to
start with Nippon in early April, so the nests never get going.

[Vir Campestris]

Post by Jeff Layman
A plague year, it would appear!
They are everywhere, although fortunately not inside the house. The
greenhouse is infested. There appear to be several nests, and perhaps
half-a-dozen pots have been partially excavated of soil, with a couple
of plants not looking too good - perhaps from lack of water around the
roots. The "flying" ants have appeared from several sites.
I'm not so concerned about underground nests, but the excavation of soil
from pots is not to be tolerated. Next year, instead of just using
crocks to cover the drainage holes, I'll use weedproof membrane first.
I've tried that before, and know that ants cannot get through it. I
wonder if it's worth trying a couple of "sacrificial" pots that the ants
can move into and leave the other ones alone.

We have had a few nests invade the house :(

I've just got to the wild flower patch. Part of it isn't fully
established - not enough rattle yet - and I'm cutting off the grass.
I've found several big ant hills concealed in there.

The lawn is suffering too. Becoming ever more bumpy. I end up digging
out some turf, removing some soil underneath, and putting the turf back.
It isn't a bowling green, and never will be, but bits were becoming a
trip hazard.

Andy