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Ants in my raised bed
Lulu The Lurcher
Posts: 258
I've just pulled the cover off my raised bed and there are loads of ants running about. Will they harm my veg?
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Posts
They are there because it's dry and warm. When they build their nests there will be lots of tunnelling which will leave your plant roots dangling in thin air and thus depriving them of water and food. Plus which, they bite when you try and plant or weed by hand and it hurts.
You can try giving the bed a thorough watering to encourage them to move on or else scatter ant killer which come in powder form or in small tins the size of old fashioned shoe polish tins. Another option, once the soil is damp, is to water on a solution of one small bottle of essential oil of cloves diluted in 5litres/one gallon of water. Pour over the soil using the spray rose on your watering can.
They hate the smell and go somewhere else. Available from good pharmacies and health shops. Regular applications will keep them away.
Clove oil definitely works, I'm allergic to ant bites and even when your not allergic they blinking hurt. I water my slate chippings and around my patio in summer to deter them, they shuffle off and make homes in the front lawn then. Clove oil solution will be fine to use on beds and won't hurt plants but clove oil is harmful to fish so I don't use it anywhere near my pond.
Sprinkle some polenta around they will take it to the nest
Thank you!
One day if you pour enough on. I used one lot just to liberate one huge rhubarb plant last year after its roots were invaded.