Dana wrote:
>Just a quick plea for help... My little corner of the world (very
>small corner) is being overrun by ants. Does anyone have a safe
>and healthy way to keep this critters from invading my house? I
>believe they are a common variety yard ant, not carpenter ants (thank god!).
Ants can be quite different and controls are somewhat regional. We now live
in a climate which gets cold enough to slow down most ants (warmer
climates may require stronger measures). Here are some
ideas for zone 7.
1. Try to determine if they are sweet or savory seeking ants.
2. Remove any food from areas ants are not wanted.
3. Accept a few ants each spring while they search for feeding areas.
If that isn't enough the next steps are:
1. locate the ant hill by following a few ants.
2. modify the habitat around the hill.
3. install a few boric acid traps in the house.
If the ants are still a problem then something is out
of balance in the local ecology. Some drastic adjustments
might be:
1. Adopt a feathered companion who likes ants.
2. Encourage ant predators (mostly birds).
3. eliminate the ants food supply.
4. destroy the ant hills.
5. find a use for ants.
That last step may sound silly but it is possible. We have mound
building ants and i've found the mounds are excellent mulch. The
ants require a few months to recover from a stolen mound and then
i steal it again <evil grin>.
----
Here is a newsletter that also has something about ants:
_______________________
B A C K Y A R D N A T U R E N O T E S!
by Carolyn Allen
Published every Tuesday and Thursday.
_______________________
Hello,
There are many species of ants which occur in lawns and natural
areas. Most ants do not require controls and are considered
beneficial. The most obvious exception is the Fire Ant...but that
is a separate issue from this issue.
Ants improve dirt.
...ants move approximately the same amount of soil as earthworms,
loosening the soil in the process and increasing air and water
movement into the ground. They clean the ecosystem of dead insect
carcasses and help decompose plant and animal matter. By carrying
bits of plants and animal remains into their nests, the soil is
fertilized and nutrients recycled through the ecosystem. And
finally, ants are among the leading predators of other insects,
helping to keep pest populations low.
But...ants sometimes decide to live where humans don't want them,
kind of like wildflowers that grow where we call them weeds...
:-)
"Ant Management" is a more noble goal than ant eradication.
To avoid some of the worst ant hills that appear above the grass
tops -- rake or "wash" (with a water stream from the garden hose)
on a regular and frequent basis. The need for such maintenance is
greatest during periods of prolific ant nesting activity (such as
during periods of wet spring weather). For the worst cases it is
possible to spot treat ant hills with insecticide. General lawn
treatment specifically for ant colonies is seldom necessary.
For more details, see (make sure you combine both lines of this
long URL):
http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/1998/6-19-1998/antsinlawn
s.html
But these fascinating little creatures are worth learning about.
They will seem much less bothersome when you appreciate their
uniqueness and their role in the wholesomeness of your
environment:
Learn about ants...
http://www.teleport.com/~billf/Internet_Lesson_Plans/ants_folder/
Ants.html
And for some international appreciation...and great conversation
at parties ;-)
Japanese ants...
http://ant.edb.miyakyo-u.ac.jp/INDEXE.HTM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BNN Reader's question:
>I would like to know a safe way to get rid of the ants, too.
They are very destructive to trees and wood in Michigan. Please
include me in any info regarding getting rid of black ants.
>
Treating carpenter ants
Begin by trying to locate the nest. This is easier said than
done, but the effort pays off. Look at both indoor and outdoor
sites, and look at night when foragers are most active. Look for
ant trails or a general direction of movement or feed foragers
small dabs of honey and then follow them to the nest. If
necessary replace damaged or decayed wood at the infestation site
and correct moisture problems.
Homeowners can treat with 'ant and roach killer' insecticide
sprays or boric acid dust. Treat wall voids and other hidden
spaces where ants are entering by spraying the liquids or
puffing the dust into cracks and gaps or through small drilled
holes if necessary.
Dust applicators may be available in a hardware store or you may
resort to a plastic squeeze bottle with a narrow tube or tip (an
old cafe ketchup bottle, for example).
If you can not locate the nest, make a general application of
spray or dust to cracks, crevices and room edges where ants are
most numerous. Dust can be injected into wall voids via the holes
surrounding electrical outlets. Use extreme caution around
electrical wiring. Spraying outlet openings is not recommended.
And for more info on carpenter ants in trees, see:
http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/1995/5-26-1995/cants.html
Source:
Iowa State University Extension
Home Pest Control...Carpenter ants -- large black ants
http://www.ent.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/1993/6-16-1993/cants.html
Carolyn Allen
Backyard Naturalist
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
WEB: http://www.backyardnature.com
_____________
TELL A FRIEND
Please forward this issue of "Backyard Nature Notes"
to friends, family and coworkers and invite them to subscribe.
____________________
IMPORTANT ADDRESSES:
Newsletter Web site: http://www.sodamail.com/site/bn.shtml
TO UNSUBSCRIBE VIA WEB
Click on the following link to be unsubscribed immediately:
http://gt.sodamail.com/exec/gt/unsubscribe_BN.html?user=483569f34fc4
NOTE: You can subscribe to other Sodamail newsletters at the same time!
TO UNSUBSCRIBE VIA E-MAIL
Send blank email message to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
TO SUBSCRIBE VIA E-MAIL
Send blank email message to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
__________________________________________________
COPYRIGHT 1999-2000 Carolyn Allen and SodaMail LLC. All rights reserved
