Reapplication of diatomaceous earth is necessary after it rains. I have to spread it a couple times per summer, but it does work. Linda > On Apr 5, 2018, at 11:35 AM, John Wickham <jwickham@sbcglobal.net> wrote: > > My problems are associated with Argentine ants. They have shallow nests and pots are a prime nesting spot for them. And it seems the issues with aphids and mealy bugs is more pronounced in these situations. With regard to diatomaceous earth, I've heard that becomes ineffective when wet. Is that the case? > > > On Thursday, April 5, 2018 9:47 AM, Jo&Greg <sun-coast-pearl@telus.net> wrote: > > > I do not know about other ant species, but with regard to carpenter ants ... > they have the main colony, and the "nursery colonies" which are always a little > warmer, and more humid. This is why you can see them walking in a line from > somewhere outside, into your abode or porch, etc. They also have multiple > queens, so one will stay with each area. As for the gasoline treatment, pouring > orange oil down the colony will do the same thing, and cause an underground > smoldering fire if your ground is peaty. > Jo Canning > > -----Original Message----- > From: pbs <pbs-bounces@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> On Behalf Of Rick Buell via > pbs > Sent: Thursday, April 5, 2018 5:36 AM > To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> > Cc: Rick Buell <rredbbeard@yahoo.com> > Subject: Re: [pbs] ants in pots > > They buy ant colonies **without** a queen.... > -------------------------------------------- > On Thu, 4/5/18, Jane Sargent <jane@deskhenge.com> wrote: > > Subject: [pbs] ants in pots > To: pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net > Date: Thursday, April 5, 2018, 8:03 AM > > I agree that it sounds possible to unpot the plant and wash the ants away, > but I have never had ants in my pots and so have no direct experience. In my > Mexican garden, we have enormous underground colonies of leafcutter ants. This > is like National Geographic, with trails of ants carrying parasols they have > snicked out of my hibiscus and gardenias. A plantsman there suggested making a > deep hole into a colony, perhaps by hammering a broom handle into it, pouring > gasoline down the hole, tossing a match and running away as fast as possible. > He says it leaves a crater and a bad smell but crimps the style of the ants. > Don't try this in your bulb pots. > > I wonder why ants prefer your bulb pots to the ground. Is it the drainage? > Most ants don't like to live in boggy ground. > > Do all the colonies appear similar, or > do you have several species of ants? > > People pay good money to buy ant farms > for their children. > > Jane > > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net > http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/… > > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net > http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/… > > --- > This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. > http://www.avg.com/ > > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net > http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/… > > > > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net > http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/… _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/…