No, but seriously, I've got ants in my plants... Anybody got any bright ideas or suggestions on how I may rid my plants of them? Thanks.
-blake

I get ants in my plants too. Sometimes it is because of the honeydew that happy plants produce, sometimes other reasons. I just sprinkle some amdro or other ant bait around the plant and the ants disappear!

Ok, so I had the same problem, and I thought, hey, I know, I'll get me one of those hooded pitcher plants that love ants and that will take care of the problem, right? At first, it seemed fine, but now, the ants won't stay away. I don't know what is wrong with them--maybe they like lining up to be slowly digested, I don't know, but they don't keep away.

The problems with the ants is that they've eaten little bits here and there off of new growths especially on my dend. spectabile and encyclia cochleata. I wanted to spray insecticide, but the last time I used anything like that my poor kitty (I swear I am a responsible and good pet keeper) threw up all day, so now I don't even use that. The BF keeps saying that as soon as the weather warms up, the ants will be gone.

In the mean time, the pitcher plant has gotten huge and while it has helped, it didn't solve the problem. So, if anyone has ANY suggestion that do not involve spraying insecticice, that would be great. I also bought a venus fly trap not too long ago, and it seems to eat the ants too, but they're still there.

Ok, so I had the same problem, and I thought, hey, I know, I'll get me one of those hooded pitcher plants that love ants and that will take care of the problem, right? At first, it seemed fine, but now, the ants won't stay away. I don't know what is wrong with them--maybe they like lining up to be slowly digested, I don't know, but they don't keep away.

The problems with the ants is that they've eaten little bits here and there off of new growths especially on my dend. spectabile and encyclia cochleata. I wanted to spray insecticide, but the last time I used anything like that my poor kitty (I swear I am a responsible and good pet keeper) threw up all day, so now I don't even use that. The BF keeps saying that as soon as the weather warms up, the ants will be gone.

In the mean time, the pitcher plant has gotten huge and while it has helped, it didn't solve the problem. So, if anyone has ANY suggestion that do not involve spraying insecticice, that would be great. I also bought a venus fly trap not too long ago, and it seems to eat the ants too, but they're still there.

I think that something about carniverous plants actually does attract insects, so that could be part of your problem. Have you tried diatamaceous earth? It is non toxic and supposedly kills all soft bodied insects. It is a fine white powder, and you can sprinkle it in and around your plants. It clings to the insects and suffocates them. While you are spreading it, keep your cat out of the area, and wear one of those paint masks, because it is dangerous if you inhale it (can cause silicosis or something like that). I tie a bandana around my nose and mouth when I use it.

Another thing that might work is flypaper. Ants stick and go nowhere fast! Or those Combat ant baits. They contain insecticide but it is completely contained in the plastic cover and your cat can't get to it.

I used Ernie's advice from this thread:

http://www.slipperorchidforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1334

The liquid borax traps you can get in any hardware store for a few bucks. I left a few around my plants. And that Chlorpyrifos stuff is the active ingredient in Raid so I sprayed that outside.
Ants gone in under 2 days...

I think the ants may just be getting antsy coz it's Spring ... antsy, get it? :p

Boric acid sprinkled around is also supposed to be effective.

I don't get it:confused:

--Stephen

Boric acid and compounds containing it are a great, (safe for people) ant and roach killer. However, boron is a minor plant nutrient and it WILL do a number on almost any plant if it gets in the rootball. This activity may take some time, but it is often fatal to many plants, even at small levels.

Ken Brewer

Yeah I use boric acid (powder form on my winders and doors), it kills the ants and sorry Thoth we call them Palmetto Bugs not roaches. Cockroach presumes they are a problem and they are so undistinguished :poke:

Yeah I use boric acid (powder form on my winders and doors), it kills the ants and sorry Thoth we call them Palmetto Bugs not roaches. Cockroach presumes they are a problem and they are so undistinguished :poke:

"Palmetto Bugs?" Is that because they live in Palmetto trees or because they are as big as the palmetto leaves? At least the ones in Texas are like a small ailen aircfaft flying at your face! *shiver*

Lets just say never walk barefoot at night! And yes they live on Palmetto trees and are as big as the leaves. :)