How do we guard against pests? We picked our first strawberry, took a bite & it was filled with ANTS! Yuck!
2007-10-07 00:19:26 · 3 answers · asked by Pat 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
Try some of these non-toxic controls:
Find the ant nest, then pour boiling water down the hole. Some follow up with vinegar after pouring the water. Do this when the ants are dormant, either during the day for harvester ants or during the night for most others.
Spread crushed mint (especially spearmint), tansy, or cinnamon in the affected area to deter ants. Or fill a spray bottle with water and a few drops of peppermint essential oil & spray to make them go elsewhere.
Sprinkle chilli powder or cayenne pepper, or black pepper on ants & ant trails.
Make an organic spray repellent of citrus peel and water (mix in a blender) and spray ants directly on the ground or in their nest.
Cucumber is said to be another deterrent for ants & spread peelings around the problem area (It might be worth a try).
Spray ants directly: 2 tablsp Ivory liquid soap( don't use detergents) to a gallon of water.
http://www.buyorganic.com.au/blog/index.php/2007/01/organic-pest-control-ants/
Here's a forum where others with an ant problem try to help with suggestions from their own experience. John Warner, PhD entomologist (University of Florida) explains why he thinks grits won't work:
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/frugal/msg0617023830653.html?42
Good Luck! Hope this is helpful.
2007-10-07 01:35:40 · answer #1 · answered by ANGEL 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wash you berries in cold water this will remove dirt and ant critters at the same time.
2007-10-07 07:27:51 · answer #2 · answered by Jan Luv 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pesticides. There is a reason farmers use them.
2007-10-07 08:07:53 · answer #3 · answered by morris 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋