help me save my barrel
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
United States
May 23, 2012 7:29pm CST
I was going to plant my usual petunias in the whiskey barrels in front of my house this evening. However upon digging up the dirt in the barrel I found huge ant colonies in both barrels! These ants are little but they are eating the wood in my barrel for their colony! I was hoping someone had a good idea how to get rid of the ants that have set up residence in there and prevent further damage.
1 person likes this
2 responses
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
24 May 12
Put some cornmeal in there. Even the littlest ants will break off pieces of it and carry it back into the nest. They can't digest it and they'll die. At least, that's what I read recently in The Dollar Stretcher's free newsletter. It can't harm your kids or pets or anything but the ants.
@roberten (3128)
• United States
24 May 12
3SnuggleBunnies, you seem to have a common ant problem. I found this solution on
http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extnews/hortiscope/pests/ants.htm (NOT A REFERRAL LINK, for info only)
"Q. I have two whiskey barrel planters that are full of ants. I have tried using traps, but it is not solving the problem. Would taking the soil out and replacing it help or would spraying the soil help, or do I need to get new planters? (Williston, N.D., e-mail)
A. Ants are there most likely because there is a source of food for them—most likely aphids that are feeding on the roots or stems of your plants, and the ants are "tending" them to collect the aphids' honeydew. If you apply the insecticide Sevin or diazinon, you should get control. Follow the directions on the label. You shouldn't need to replace those expensive whiskey barrels!"
Hope this helps.
