DE and ants

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Permalink Reply by Alex on June 24, 2009 at 8:49am

I have the same problem...I don't know a sure method, but I've read that cayenne and pepper deter ants as well as vinegar. I'm going to try the pepper and see what happens....

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Permalink Reply by Portia on June 24, 2009 at 10:04am

Thanks for responding. I'm willing to try anything. I tried looking up some ideas on the internet and read about putting instant grits in their nest. It said that it doesn't kill on contact but within 24-48 hours they are gone. I haven't tried it yet but will get some grits today and put it out. Good luck with your garden as well.

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Permalink Reply by Dana on June 26, 2009 at 12:46pm

I have read somewhere that putting powdered grits in hole will do it as they eat up the grits expand and voila! I tried with the large red ants in NM but had to leave before I could find out if it worked.

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Permalink Reply by Robert Ray on June 26, 2009 at 1:47pm

Cream of Wheat works the same way as the grits. Also if you know where their hole is put 5 lemon peels in a blender with water to cover and purée, pour this down the hole.

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Permalink Reply by Portia on June 26, 2009 at 3:29pm

Thanks for the tip. :)

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Permalink Reply by NIck Torrez on June 28, 2009 at 6:42pm

I attended the 'Designing a Garden' workshop this past weekend, and got a chance to ask the speaker, Heather Welch about DE. I have a ton of the little black ants only. She said, yes the DE will kill the ants, BUT it also kills the microbial life in the soil, which is working on decomposing the Mulch & Compost into the low level food the plants need. She didn't use, but recommended sprinkling Cinnamon on the gorund. The ants don't like it, and vacate the area. I don't recall if she said this kills the ants. I have used DE on the little black ants, and yes it does get rid of the ants. I try to find the nest and make a 6 inch circle around the nest, so returning ants walk through the DE. I dont' a;ways find the nest, so content myself with dusting the busy parts of the ant trail.

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Permalink Reply by Portia on June 28, 2009 at 8:31pm

Thanks for the info. I had no idea that it also kills microbial life. I certainly don't want to do that. My garden is in its first year so I need all the microbs I can get. :) I appreciate you sharing what you learned. Thanks and good luck with your garden.

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