black ants in my raised bed

tandrews on 4/4/2011, 9:36 am

I went out this morning to turn over the dirt in my raised bed to get it ready for planting. It's full of black ants! Shocked

Tons of them!! Is there something I can treat them with that won't hurt my seedlings when I start planting. I aslo don't want whatever I treat with to get into the vegetables. I'm sure that stuff isn't good for the human body. Any advice :?:

FarmerValerie on 4/4/2011, 9:40 am

Down towards the bottom of this thread, I share how I used cinnimon to take care of them.
http://squarefoot.creatingforum.com/t5677-pest-prevention
Let me know if you have problems finding it or need more help!!!!

FarmerValerie on 4/4/2011, 9:42 am

OOPs my bad, I just noticed this was your first post and I did not say

!!

Forgive my manners.

I'm glad you found your regional thread, there are lots of us here who have similar problems. We love pictures and we love to help so if you need any help in any way let us know!

Do you have your very own copy of The ALL NEW SQUARE FOOT GARDENING book? It's the best help you can have on hand, mine looks like my kids got ahold of it I've used it so many times.

Again, sorry for not welcoming you right off the bat, let us know if the info I posted above this post helps or not.

tandrews on 4/4/2011, 10:21 am

No problem. I'm not good at introes either. My husband always has to remind me to introduce him to the person we are talking to when I take him places with me.

I will go get what is left of the cinnamon in my cupboard after I post this and put in on the soil. I'm guessing I should work it into the top layer. I will be going to the store later today and will get more to finish the treatment. I will definately let you know how it works.

Thanks so much,
Tammy

FarmerValerie on 4/4/2011, 10:24 am

I usually just sprinkle on top, and the most it has taken is 2 applications, the ones it comes in contact with, burn and die, the rest probably just move, so if they keep popping up in the yard, get something like Andro. I love to do it in the sunlight, it burns even more. I get 3-4 bottles of cinnamon at Sam's, that usually lasts me a year, between gardening and eating. Glad I could help and keep us posted.

FarmerValerie on 4/6/2011, 8:10 am

How goes it with the ants.

marsinger4 on 4/13/2011, 2:27 pm

I haven't tried the cinnamon, but black pepper works pretty well.

scubadoo on 4/18/2011, 8:11 pm

Cinnamon? Really? Do you have any other home remedies for other pests? I'd like to keep these in mind. I have a few ants crawling around my beds....do you know of anything to get rid of the leaf footed stink bugs? They are not in my garden...YET, but I do have a bunch of those boogers in my potted plants around the outside of my house.

FarmerValerie on 4/19/2011, 5:36 am

I would try a soap spray first.

Try here for mor ideas.
http://squarefoot.creatingforum.com/t6109-an-ounce-of-prevention

black ants in my raised bed

black ants in my raised bed

Re: black ants in my raised bed

Re: black ants in my raised bed

Re: black ants in my raised bed

Re: black ants in my raised bed

Re: black ants in my raised bed

I hate those ants

Re: black ants in my raised bed

Re: black ants in my raised bed