Does anyone have any experience with sugar ants nesting in the potting media? It's really not such a bad thing to me and sort of flattering because they're very demanding for aeration and moisture conditions but it's a real pain if you have to bring indoors over winter. I'm a bit worried about the formic acid they exude though so I destroy their nurseries as soon as I locate them. I know over time that fire ants will kill any plant they nest under (I've lost prize roses to them) but I'm not sure about these tiny, prolific pests.

Any helpful hints? Will capsacin keep them away? Should I be concerned about anything other than bringing into the house?

Ernie

I don't know how helpful this'll be for you. I tend to use Ant Sand to control ants outside of my unit and ant baits inside. I also occassionally spray. The baits are more effective (as they use a culmulative poison) but slow.

You could possibly try some more obscure stuff but I take it you want the plant to survive :D ?

Stephan

Howdy Ernie,
I would rid my plants of any pests especially ants. That fire ant stuff works wonders on all types of ants. I think eventally they will desicate your orchids. But what do I know?

Arghhhh!!! These &@)&# sugar ants are annoying. Overnight they've taken up residence in my besseae, berenice, roth, lowii, roebelini, venustum and a macabre hybrid all at once. I've been using mild pyrethrins so far but these little buggers respond by just getting sluggish instead of dying now so it's time to bring out the big guns.

I'm strongly considering using chlorpyrifos (Dursban) and the recommended dosage of the concentrate I have is 1 ounce to 5 gallons for ornamentals like roses and stuff and doesn't mention orchids. Does anyone have any experience with this pesticide that they can share? Considering the *cough* value of these babies I figured I would ask for advice about dosage and application before starting my 6-legged mooch killing spree. I did do some research already and found it's used in commercial orchid greenhouse nurseries and outdoor areas. BTW, yes I know chlorpyrifos was pulled from the market in Jan 02 but there is no restriction on personal usage until existing supplies are exhausted.

OK, I'm going to offer a different solution here: :lol:

This is just a thought. A "why not" kind of thought: :?:

This might be a really dumb answer. It might also be a really dumb question???

What about unpotting the plants with the ants, (Didn't mean to rhyme) and then seriously washing the ants off? Then take the medium that the plants were in and nuking the heck out of it in the microwave???? Then you repot???

Just wondering? I hate ants. Would this work without having to use harsh chemicals????:?:

I know it would involve significant work in a large greenhouse, but could it possibly be practical for hobby growers???

Please don't laugh too much!!!!:lol: :lol:

Just want to help. (for what it's worth)

Ahh, sweet Susan...I appreciate your help but it's not the medium that causes the issue, it's the environment. I would agree your answer is an option for a mold or other fungal thing but the ants are attracted to aerated space with the proper temperature and humidity for growth of eggs and larvae. A well kept orchid pot is a magnet and haven for them and tells me I have good culture going on. The only reason I freak is because they'll all need to be brought inside in a few months and they excrete formic acid which I really don't want.

I'm thinking the chlorpyrifos would only need to be applied perhaps 2 times in the next 120 days because of persistence to keep the beggars out but I seriously need to know if the dosage is correct and if there are any sensitive species.

I hear of this as much more of a problem in the south. Is this true?

BTW - I have a grasshopper warning to post.

earnie i can send over some of my frogs :lol:

Ernie,

We have the little buggers here in Maine, as well. Probably not as much as you. My orchids are outside in a screen house that collapses every time we have a thunderstorm with gusts of wind. It is a pain in the butt; but the plants like the temps, humidity, and the breezes.

Point being, is that I will be bringing my orchids inside probably in early September. So I will watch this post very closely, as I don't want the little creeps coming inside either.

Chemicals, here we come! I'm not afraid to blast the little buggers, as long as the plants are OK. :evil: :evil:

Best

I would ask Lienluu to get me an anteater but chances are he prolly would and the beggar would unpot everything I own. Frogs would be good but my outdoor cat would eat them...once. I'm still trying to convince the wifey we need the ostriche for dog and cat control in the yard.

I have an outside screenhouse too that's 14x10 and pretty awesome but the dang thing is a wasp magnet and always blows down in breezes over 20 mph. Notice I said breezes? That's an indication of what I usually expect as "wind" in normal storms.

I've pestered the ant nests so much today most have gone away or died without having to use more than pyrethrins but I'm still looking for an insecticide with residual effects to keep them away. I have those fire ant granules that I'm testing on a few of the varieties of chids I keep unscreened but I'm not convinced it safe for a roth or besseae species yet so no way.

Okay...A follow-up on things I've learned...and the ants are toast and not returning so far.

The Fire Ant Granules eliminated sugar ants from an outdoor LC and Schombo tibi and no ill effects after two months. They're happily putting out both legs and arms.

After 1.5 months, Phrags,Paphs, Cats, BLC, LC and Dend are ant free and thriving after using the recommended dosage of Dursban (aka chlorpyrifos). The 4N phrags have actually sprouted 2 new leaves since the application and I can't tell if it's because of the outdoors, Dursban or the switch to MSU which are all new conditions but the Dursban didn't hurt.

I've been experimenting with *Ortho* brand RosePride system too on outdoor Phals and a second Schombo tibi...after a year of use, the Phals are still going nuts and the Schombo is growing fast after about 4 months of use. This stuff is "supposed" to keep away black spot, rust, and a bunch of insect types like worms, beetles, thrips, red mites, scale and whitefly. It states for use on orchids but says it generically so we can't tell which might be sensitive to it. Absolutely no leaf damage since use though on the mentioned outdoor, unscreened plants.

I don't have enough duplicate species to set up proper controls to say any of my findings can be validated and the long term effect on a bloom is unknown. The one thing that can't be denied though is that the three products don't hurt the growth process of the listed species or hybrids. If anyone wants, I can be specific as to types involved.

Cool. Thanks Ernie. Glad to hear you sorted out your ant problem. :D