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Red ants nest

debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184
in Problem solving
Hi all hope you can help. I have a very heavy infestation of red ants on my allotment. I was happy to live and let live but every time I weed they come out and bite me and it really hurts! Any ideas on how to clear nests? I don't have access to boiling water on the allotment and I am reluctant to use insecticides. Any advice gratefully received. 

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    They like dry conditions so it's either water them constantly till they move on or poison them.   There are specific ant poisons that come in shoe polish tin type containers so will only affect the ants.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    You can get a nematode for ants. I don't think it actually kills them, just makes them move house to get away. They really bite don't they? Vicious little b**rs 
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184
    Have ordered semolina in my supermarket order, thanks Runny. I feel a bit mean but they have bitten me and my hubby has red lumps all over his arm from weeding the onion bed! Insects love him I think it's because he is a type 1 diabetic and his blood smells sweet he always gets bitten much more than me. 
  • marian.gordon01marian.gordon01 Posts: 2
    edited June 2018
    It is really painful, once red ants bite you. You may try either two things i.e DIY method or hire a pest control professional immediately. Talking about DIY's, you can spray homemade insecticide. It is a mixture of one gallon of water, two tablespoons of powdered laundry soap, two tablespoons of vegetable oil, two tablespoons of baking soda, and one teaspoon of chlorine powder. Once you hit them with this solution, it kills red ants within 30 seconds. Secondly, you may consult with pest professionals like ant control in Sacramento to help you with the different solutions.
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,906
    Thanks for your input Marian but this is a UK based forum.
    Debs - it seems that milk pudding is the answer!

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
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