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ANTS!!!!
Snow Maiden
Posts: 862
Hi, hope somebody can offer some advice on an Acer/ ant nest problem. The Acer was planted in a large pot 2yrs ago and has looked settle and healthy. This year however it has looked a little sorry for itself.....def. not thriving! Today when the pot was given a good watering ( thinking that this might help) a large nest of ants came pouring out of the pot. What would now be the best thing to do, the Acer is Palmatum, Red Wine and is about 3-4ft tall should it be removed and its roots washed out before re-potting afresh or this time directly in the soil or..........fork in ant powder, thanks for any advice offered.
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If the soil is kept moist the ants will move on - they look for dry places for their homes.
The fact that they've taken up residence in the pot might indicate that the acer is a bit pot-bound and the water isn't penetrating the compost - maybe it needs re-potting?
It shouldn't need the roots being washed out and I wouldn't use ant powder either - just repotting and keeping the soil moist should be enough.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Thanks Dove, I don't think its pot bound as its in a fair sized pot. Its my Dads Acer and I must say that on my last visit I did say that I thought it was a bit dry hence the good watering he gave it today. He is thinking of replanting it direct.....good idea do you think?
I've always have problems with ants in many of my pots (I think my garden is one huge ants' nest!) but the problem improved last year when I raised all the pots off the ground using pot feet. I've also found ant nematodes effective in the ground but I don't know if they work in pots.
Thanks Singing Gardener, will pass on your advice to my Dad