Ants in my strawbales!! help!

Hope someone can help with this one. I have a mound of ants in one of my strawbales (thankfully one that has nothing in it yet). What can I use to rid these devils, and not hurt my tomatoes in the future. Any info greatly appreciated. I already have tomatoes in two of my eight bales. Thanks, Dona

Dona, you should have some help shortly. I've never had'em so I don't have any experience dealing with them in my bales.

We've discussed this before so stay tuned.

This message was edited Mar 13, 2009 4:32 PM

I posted the same question last year but didn't get a response. I had bales on top of several ant hills. They came up into the bales, wandered around the plants, but didn't seem to hurt anything. When I first saw them I panicked and thought of tearing that whole section apart. I'm glad I left them alone. I was worried about putting any kind of poison that close to our food.

I guess it just depends on what kind of ants you have.

Lucy

Lucy, these are fire ants. I guess I will just delay planting in this bale until I can find a cure. Thanks Kent, I will see if I get any further response.

There is a thread in the Organic Gardening forum, where they discuss using Molasses and Orange Oil to get rid of fire ants. I've found a mound in my bales, too and want a more organic solution. I HATE the thought of pouring that much poison on my veggies.

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/960422/

You've got ants and I've got little black spiders. I am going to try and find something to put on them this year. Who know's maybe they will have set up residence somewhere else.

I posted this on another thread, Then I saw this . I used Epsom Salt mixed with Diatomaceous Earth. I put it on the nests starting in between my bales and by the next afternoon the ants were gone! E.

Duh - why didn't I think of DE? I have 10 pounds in my garage!

I found out that if I sprayed the nest with a light shower of water after spinkling the mixture it worked better!

what is diatomaceous earth? Sorry, I feel like such a dummy sometimes

Gourdbeader I went the web..I didn't know either LOL

what is diatomaceous earth
A light-colored porous rock composed of the shells of diatoms.


What are diatoms
Any of various microscopic one-celled or colonial algae of the class Bacillariophyceae, having cell walls of silica consisting of two interlocking symmetrical valves

Okay??????? So where do you get this stuff and what the heck is it. Is this that stuff that is suppose to cling to insects as well as ants fleas etc and is like glass on their bodies? I think that maybe I have heard of this stuff. Is that what this is?

Gourdbeader.Okay my freind here is where you get it.Plus more information

www.dirtworks.net/Diatomaceous-Earth.html

Tubby

Hey Guys! Yes the DE, works like glass on their bodies, punctures and kills! so be very careful where you put it , cause it will also kill earth worms and other needed garden helpers!
I use it very sparingly and just on the tops of the nests!

I disolve it in a spray bottle and mist lightly on plant foliage to kill anything - mites, aphids, whitefly. Anything. It is safe for humans and pets.

Wow , 2ndChance~ I didnt know you could do that with DE! I wonder if that would protect my baby peaches!

Hey tubby, thanks for all the great info. I am going to try and use it on the little black spiders that inhabit my straw bales.

Never thought about my fruit trees ---that would be a lifesaver, though!

The only negative is that it does leave a finr white powder on the leaves but it doesn't seem to affect the plants. And you'll have to reapply after rain if the bugs reappear.

I tried the DE and they packed up and moved two bales down! These are fire ants and while just adjusting the soaker hose they covered my hand & arm up to the elbow before I felt the first bite. I have never had an allergic reaction before but with so many bites, I did this time. I want these things DEAD......any suggestions?

Oh How terrible! I see where Wally World now has an ORGANIC Fire ant killer! I am off to go and get me some!
My ants left with the DE and Epsom Salt, but I didnt want to cover my bales with it so like you I now have new colonies starting in other bales, OUCH!!

...Hmmmm. by the way, Robertsrose, Did we happen to meet in Milledgeville this past year at LOWES?

http://attra.ncat.org/new_pubs/attra-pub/fireant.html?id=Texas

Here is a good read about fire ants.

Personally, Amdro has never failed me. Put it out around the base of the bales where the ants are working trying to avoid getting so much on the mound itself. The directions used to read to spread a tablespoon or so around the mound. I don''t measure. I sprinkle a liberal swath about a foot or so wide completely around the mound cause I don't want any of the little critters to go hungry. In three days to a week the ants are gone. When I moved here thirty years ago I'd go thru three to five of the 1 lb size Amdro. Now I rarely use 1 lb a year. So I am convinced that Amdro does work. It's just not a quick fix.

Jerry

Gotta do something.... between fire ants, hard as rock GA clay, & kudzu, gardening life gets pretty interesting! Eufaula.... Lowe's is one of my favorite hang outs so I don't know but it is possible!

I agree with Jerry - Amdro does work.