A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2004 Ants!

I have an ant problem. Because I also garden for birds and wild life as much as for astectic or beauty, I have to be careful about what products I use to rid pests from my yard. As of now, the ants are in my Humming bird garden, under the bird bath that is there for all the birds. They seem to be feeding there, on what I don't know. I put egg shell, baked and dried in the dehydrator, crushed to almost a powder, in to rid the snails. It is not the egg shell they are carrying off. I heard Salt is the natural way to get rid of ants, as the salt burns the exo skeleton, but salt is bad for the garden. Any idea's?

Miki

Hi Miki,
I understand BOILING WATER works, might not get
them all on the first try.. they're deep in.

I just found a bunch in my raised beds, and am wondering the same thing...UGH..
I'm a natural gardener too, so?????????

I have heard of BORAX with powdered sugar, but not sure if it's natural or not, still looking that up!!!

Weezie

I had the same problem years ago and a pest control buddy of mine gave me a secret. GRITS! You sprinkle grits(uncooked) around the mounds,they eat it and when they drink water it expands and kills them(grits double in size when cooked). I've used this ever since and dont ever have problems with ants and its chemical free(YIPPEE!)

Karen

Grits or Cream Of Wheat. If you set out cream of wheat for the ants they will eat it and then they will bloat up and die. It works much the same way as rice and birds.
Tempest~

Grits Huh!, guess I will go Blow up some ANTS Coffee grounds are Supposed to deter them too, scattered around the base of plants, I think They just Run Around a lil Faster!

I tried cream of wheat a few days ago..
they seem to be taking it inside,
but how long do I have to wait.......??

I have to get some 'mater's in there yet???

Weezie

Dunno Weezie, thats the first time I ever heard of It?