From hlm@phx.mcd.mot.com Thu Jun 16 22:45:02 EDT 1994
Article: 34959 of rec.gardens
Newsgroups: rec.gardens
Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!gatech!swrinde!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!ncar!noao!asuvax!pitstop.mcd.mot.com!mcdphx!hlm
From: hlm@phx.mcd.mot.com (Heather Magill)
Subject: Ant population controls - FAQ suggestions
Message-ID: <1994Jun9.162409.5508@phx.mcd.mot.com>
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Organization: Motorola Computer Group, Tempe, Az.
Date: Thu, 9 Jun 1994 16:24:09 GMT
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It appears I am building up an informal Ant FAQ.  Since we have
seen a lot of requests on ant control is seems reasonable to 
make this into a formal FAQ.  As I have never done this before
suggestions and comments would be extremely helpful.  Also, I am
not sure how to get his on the FAQ server for rec.gardens

I realize the phoenix specific information should be changed to a
general discussion on ant types.  Other comments/suggestions?  
Should this be a FAQ?

Thanks,
Heather.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Living in Phoenix AZ we have a variety of differnt kind of ants.
The major ones around are:

red/black 		have single hills and are predominately sugar eaters
			they are typically the ones that farm aphids and 
			flies.
large red ants 		have very large anthills and have a tendency to 
			clear large areas around the anthill
large black		I think these eat mold that is grown off of plant 
			material carried down in the anthill.  Never found
			them to be obnoxious but like the large red ants they
			clear large areas around a large ant hill.
small black 		These are the worst.  They build a large mound with
			many entrances (kind of like an ant condo).  There 
			bite is also extremely painful to me.  

Anyways, I have dozens of anthills and have tried a variety of methods.

boiling water 		no effect

digging up the 
anthill			suggested by my dad.  He said did down in the
			anthill really far (avoid getting bitten) then
			put a jar filled with water in the hole and
			cover it up to the rim with soil.  The ants
			will be very upset (no kidding) and will be
			trying to find there hole and they will fall
			in the jar and drown.  It didn't work and
			luckily I didn't get bit.

cayenne pepper		the ants like to eat it!

specially ground 
diotomaceous earth 	some effect not sure why it worked 
			sometimes and not others.  Have to keep
			reapplying it.

boric acid 		no effect
			plant to try this method again this time mixing the
			boric acid with sugar.

ground up orange 
peels 			suggested on the local radio, no effect 
			(Although I have been told its the 
			molding of the orange peels that drive the 
			ants away.  Unfortunately, just doesn't mold 
			in Phoenix during the summer, just dehyrates :-)

Amdro Ant Bait		Works good in non-food production areas and
			protected from animals and children.  NOT
			ORGANIC! but also not a general purpose poison
			like diazanon.

chickens		While the eat bugs (especially cockroaches) they 
			seem to find ants to dry to eat.  However, they seem
			to like juciy beetles, maggots and worms.  Which is
			pretty nice.

repeated disturbing
of the anthill		people have posted that repeated disturbings of the
			anthill will convince the ants to move elsewhere.
			Personally, I would rather limit the population 
			rather than move them around on my property or 
			convince them to move to my neighbors.

-- 
------------------- Me speaking for me and only me ---------------------------
      Motorola MCG              AZ43 MD DW278        (o) 602-438-3343
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