A friend, who is a member of the worm forum reported that on a recent
discussion someone mentioned good success repelling ants with worm castings.
Here's the comment:
Common Ant Reaction
We have had reports from users for a long time that ant
infestations have disappeared with the use of our WORMGOLDTM. Our field
test observation has been that there is an immediate ant reaction. (An
explanation for this difference is that the ants can detect the full
level of chitinase when they walk over the worm castings. The insects
that suck the nectar from the plants can't detect the chitinase level
until it has multiplied inside the plant). One example of ant revulsion
was seen when WORMGOLDTM was applied for a test of 30 lemon trees for
phytophthora (root rot fungus). (We were performing the fungus tests
as reported by four academic research studies). The WORMGOLDTM was
applied in a ??" layer from the trunk to the drip line. Every tree had a
line of ants going up and down the trunk. As soon as the castings were
applied, the ants coming down the trunk were visibly agitated. These
ants swarmed above the edge of the WORMGOLDTM at the base of the trunk.
It was clear that they did not want to cross the castings. The ants
coming in a path to the trees would start to cross the WORMGOLDTM but
proceeded less than ?? inch before they made a 360-degree turn to leave
the castings. The ants then followed the edge of the castings around the
full perimeter until they got back to the advancing path. The ants
then returned to the nest (or wherever the ants go). The path around
the castings continued from one to three days, then the ants stopped.
If leaves had dropped onto the WORMGOLDTM , the ants would use the
leaves as a bridge. (Dr. Atkinson has explained that the ants' sensory
equipment can detect the chitinase and they are not happy walking where
the level is above their detection level). After about two weeks, the
ants begin again to cross the layer. It appears that there must be some
change to the top layer of castings. If the top is raked, the ants
again refuse to cross the layer. The ants leave the nests in the area
that is covered by the layer of castings.
Homeowners have reported that WORMGOLDTM applied to the turf and
planting areas around their homes has resulted in the absence of ant
infestations for about a year.
Anyone have any similar findings?
Arzeena
-----------------------------
Terra Viva Organics
Organic garden seed, natural fertilizers & predatory insects
www.tvorganics.com
---------------------------
Terra Viva Organics wrote:
> A friend, who is a member of the worm forum reported that on a recent
> discussion someone mentioned good success repelling ants with worm castings.
Hi Arzeena
What an intriguing concept. I shall follow any further developments wirh
interest. It would seem a much more humane way of controlling ants in
one's garden than poisoning them. After all, they undoubtedly have a
part to play in the local ecosystem if only we could persuade them to
stay away from our homes and a few other places.
Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan
Wainuiomata, New Zealand. (on the "Ring of Fire" in the SW Pacific).
Lat. 41:16S Long. 174:58E. Climate: Mediterranean/Temperate
I haven't followed this whole thread but I have a question about ants. I have a
large
ant colony right beside where I want to put a goat shed. I've tried digging the
ants out and
all they do is rebuild their colony. Has anyone tried Diatomaceous Earth (
ground sea shells )?
Everyone I know just keeps recommending poisons, but I don't want to do this.
Thanks much,
ldo
Tony & Moira Ryan wrote:
What kind of ants?
If they are normal everyday garden variety ants the goats won't mind the
company. (c:
Fire ants now I think they would mind.
And maybe army ants too!! I guess the point I am trying to make is all
ants are not lumped into one group.
Many ants are really good guys.
Smitty
I asked God for all things so that I could enjoy life.
He gave me life so I could enjoy all things.
Dear Ido
Let them get stabilized, then douse the anthill with lots of boiling
water to kill off the queen.
Kindest regards,
Kevin Chisholm
ldo wrote:
In a message dated Tue, 13 Jun 2000 09:41:04, ldo@THERIVER.COM writes:
Diatomaceous Earth is fossilized diatoms (ancient sea creatures), not ground
sea shells. Diatomaceous Earth may cause your ant nest to move somewhere
else. The tactic would be to apply a thin layer of DE in the vecinity of
where the
ant nest is being a nuisance. You will have to learn to accept that the ant
colony
will likely relocate.
Hot water works, but the chances of the nest reappearing nearby is high.
Another tactic that appears to be useful in "deterring" ants is to inundate
an
area with insect parasitic nematodes, such as Steinernema carpocapsae and/or
Heterohabditis bacterophora. These nematodes are one of many natural
enemies of ants and several other soil dwelling insects and can convince ants
to
seek greener pastures elsewhere.
If you manage to move the ants off your property, you may be stuck with a
secondary problem due to the lack of ants to balance the "system". This
is not always the case, but sometimes things happen when you mess with
Mother Nature. When attempting to eradicate ants, keep an eye out for
consequences, especially if you are treating a large area.
All the best,
Eric W. Acosta - Director
Biocontrol Network
Bio-rational Alternatives for an Ever Shrinking Planet
***************************************************
URL http://www.biconet.com E-Mail: ebugs@biconet.com
***************************************************
bRUCE sMITH wrote:
Hi Smitty
I was thinking exactly the same thing. I am just re-reading "Ishmael"
with its theme that man is the only being which actually _destroys_ any
other living creature which intrudes on his living space, all the others
adapt and work round them or learn to interact safely with them.
If Ido you still feel you can't tolerate them near your goat shed why
not start by buying a bag of worm castings and spreading these freely
over the nest. it might just persuade your ants to move off to some
place more convenient to you.
I reiterate my previous remark that ants do have a part to play in the
general ecology (such as in improving soil texture), and consequent good
health of the ecosystem (in this case your property).
Only, if as Smitty suggests they are a dangerous species like fire ants
(which I undestand are not native to the US anyway) would it seem
necessary to get rid of them completely.
In passing I can thoroughly recommend anybody who subscribes to this
list and its philosophy reading the book I mentioned. In case you are
interested the reference is:-
Ishmael by Daniel Quinn (Bantam/Turner)
Don't be put off by the apparent lightness of the start. It is in fact a
brilliant philosophical essay in which the ideas are expressed in simple
language and with great clarity. It is also a most enjoyable read.
Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan
Wainuiomata, New Zealand. (on the "Ring of Fire" in the SW Pacific).
Lat. 41:16S Long. 174:58E. Climate: Mediterranean/Temperate
