As a point of interest, I am not sure why it did, but I killed a two year old Lemon verbena with a watered solution of Dr Bronners peppermint castile soap. A far more diluted blend then mentioned above. I know that did it as I sampled a leave and could taste it. It had had no other treatment beyond watering and had new leaf growth.
Also, I've had some plants die from putting ant poison on the surface. When it is watered in, it has done the damage. Just a couple thoughts from past experiences.
Ants in Containers
christmascactus
Nov 17, 2008
What brand is your bait?
Your's may be different from the one I saw at walmart.
I want to try & find what you have because if it worked for you it will work here,too.
I have found that a dusting of Sevin (which is approved for Organic Gardening) where the ants have to go thru it will eliminate the ants. They carry it on them into the next and it will kill the Queen. So you could put a dusting under or around the EB or pot...I put it around the trunks of trees where the soil meets the tree...the ants go into the soil because the nights are too cool for them here. Gets rid of the aphids too (no ant = no aphids).
Boric Acid may work too. That's what I sprinkle around for the cockroaches to go thru...
christmascactus
Nov 27, 2008
"No aphids",no plants only container with potting soil.
I have always used Amdro with great success. What Tplant sez about the little white thingies that kill the queen, this is the key.
christmascactus
Nov 28, 2008
Tplant what brand is the ant bait you use?
I don't have any more but they are 3" round white plastic "hotels" and come about six to a box. I bought them at my large supermarket in the detergent aisle. Very easy to identify! Use two for EACH POT JUST IN CASE?
We have the Little Fire Ant here and the major problem with murdering them all with one baiting action is their colony behavior....the larger ones may be the same. The LFA does not have a major colony....but many small ones; in trees, in rock walls, in the ground, in pots etc. Their range is approx 10'...so baiting has to be done every 10' in all directions....and when those mini colonies are zapped, new ones move in. Amdro works on the LFA but it is mainly temporary because of the multiple colonies.
For other ants - basically the 'sugar ants' (those attracted by sugar), Terro works really well...as does a mixture of sugar and Boric Acid.
Carol