ANTS
nests in the Garden an Lawn - Ants
nest in the Lawn, and on roots of plants.
Surprisingly, ants are not
quite the friends we once thought. Although ants are often seen swarming
over plants in the garden which are infested with aphids, attracted by the sweet honeydew,
(produced by the aphids,) ants can actually promote the spread of aerial aphids,
and increase the activity of root aphids when they have ants nests in the garden
borders.
Ants nests in the lawn are pest through and
through, as anyone who has sat on an ant infested lawn will tell you.
However, the gardeners'
biggest problem with ants in the garden is their nest-building capacity, which can damage
plant roots, soil structure, and cause poor plant performance and death.
Ants sometimes burrow around the roots of plants,
damaging the plant roots and harming the plant.
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And if that's not
enough! Ants attack ripe fruit, so, wherever possible, fruit trees should
be grease-banded and any ant nests located and treated with insect
dust/spray. Always follow directions on the packet.
For ants in the lawn,
it may be better to try some Ant Kill gel liquid
placed upon a small piece of plastic or glass -
where it will not be soaked up by the surface.
The ants are
attracted to the sugary content of the gel, only to
take in the powerful insecticide that is also
present. They then take this down into their nest
where the poison is spread throughout.
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This view from Ian
Whilst ants are not a pest and do some benefit in the garden. Most people do not like a ant setting up house under their patio or in their lawn.
A sure fire way to get rid of them is mix a small bottle of clove oil (from the chemist) in a large watering can with a rose sprinkler. Quickly water this over the area the ants have set up home ........ and stand back! First you will see the flying ants leaving the nest in droves, the soldier ants will follow them on foot.
Tried tested and never failed.
Ian, Newcastle
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