Hello from Missouri. Ant control question.

[AndreaK]

Hello,

I have been growing various orchids for over 20 years. I am also a homeschool mom of 6 children. So my days consist of misting orchids, school, watering orchids, school, misting orchids, school, and so on..... I have a Dendrobium NOID (appears to be related to Den. Affine) which is 19 years old now.

I have a question about eradicating ants from indoor orchid plants. I have already tried the flooding out method which only reduced the number. I have baited them with commercial products - they are not interested. I baited them with powdered sugar/ borax solution - once again only a reduction in the population.
Is there a commercial systemic product for indoors which is safe for use around children and pets?

Thank you for any information,
AndreaK

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[ddivey36]

Must be the season, I just had round one with them.
Ray says this:
THAT'S A LOT OF ANTS

[RosieC]

Welcome to Orchid Board

The thread ddivey36 pointed you to above is a good recent discussion on ants. Hopefully you can find an answer there.

[Optimist]

Possibly look into diotomaceous earth. These are the shells of diotoms. They are sharp and scratch the protective wax coating of insects causing them to lose all the moisture in their bodies and die. It is absolutely non-toxic, but does take a while to act. Also, you should get the ant hills. You do need to wear a gauze mask while applying. This is so you do not breath the dust. The dust settles and it is not any danger any more.

[RNCollins]

Hi Andrea! Welcome from New York State!

[Paul Mc]

Welcome! From Missouri as well!

[astrid]

I don't think you can win against ants. We never did in my house. =/
They keep coming any time of the year that they feel like it.

[AndreaK]

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

Welcome! From Missouri as well!

My husband and I just attended the Saint Charles Orchid Society meeting on Thursday. It was the first meeting we have attended. We met several members from your society at the member preview of the Orchid Show at the Botanical Gardens. I hope to become more involved in the society if time allows.

[Paul Mc]

AndreaK, we would love to have you in our group if time allows, but certainly understand there is some distance between us both. Didn't know there was a St. Charles Orchid Society as well! Cool!!!