Subject: Re: Boric acid and ants
From: Kurt Bilinski <Kurt.Bilinski@gat.com>
Organization: San Diego SuperComputer Center at UCSD
Date: 23 Sep 1997 15:19:49 GMT
Message-ID: <MOD$970923.18217@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
References: <MOD$970912.21692@rec.gardens.ecosystems> <MOD$970913.1711@rec.gardens.ecosystems> <MOD$970913.8415@rec.gardens.ecosystems> <MOD$970913.15268@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
Jim and Sheila Reed wrote:
>My experience is that the aphids come first, and the ants come to
>collect the honeydew (which is also responsible for the sooty mold).
>Perhaps your ant problem on some ornamentals might lessen if there were
>other beneficial insects in place to clear out the aphids, or you took
>some other steps to get rid of the aphids. I think if you can remove
>the aphids and the honeydew they leave behind there'll be nothing there
>to attract these sugar-eating ants.
In my experience (and observation), when a lady bug bettle lands on a
plant which has aphids, if ants are tending the aphids, they will chase
the lady bug away.
I find if I use the sticky goo around the plant to prevent ants, the
aphids disappear.
Kurt