La Manzanilla message board

PSA on leaf cutter ants Posted by LisaFern on September 11, 2023, 10:13 am I recently got a tip for folks dealing with these voracious ants that consume whole trees. I haven't used it myself but saw this work successfully at a friend's place. For new plantings, drive a white PVC pipe of a good diameter around the in the hole around where the trunk will grow. You may have heard that tying a plastic bag deters them, but I haven't had luck with that. For established plants you might try slitting a tube of PVC and fitting it around the trunk(s). I would love to know if people have success with this, or any other method. Poison does not work on this type of ant as they are farming their own food in their nests and will not take poison home. Thanks for feedback! Happy gardening! Please try to plant and care for a tree or 2 or 3 somewhere. It really makes a difference.

Re: PSA on leaf cutter ants Posted by Jo Anna H on September 11, 2023, 10:41 am, in reply to "PSA on leaf cutter ants" Leaf cutters are the very devil of the ant world! Here's what I've used as a weed killer so tried it on ants. Voila! I don't believe it does harm in the environment but do take care to not spray on your cherished plants. 2 litres/quarts white vinegar 1 cup epsom salt or table salt 1/8 cup dawn dishwashing soap Shake it up. Let it sit a couple of minutes. Spray.

Re: PSA on leaf cutter ants Posted by Benito Vallarta on September 12, 2023, 9:30 am, in reply to "Re: PSA on leaf cutter ants" I've used this product and it works like a charm. I spread it where they were walking to my bougainvilleas plants and they horded a whole bottle in about 2h30!!! Never came back. highly recommend! https://www.homedepot.com.mx/jardin/insecticidas/control-de-plaga-y-repelentes/hormiguicida-trompa-454-gr-817354

Re: PSA on leaf cutter ants Posted by wayne on September 13, 2023, 9:44 am, in reply to "Re: PSA on leaf cutter ants" And WHERE can you find dawn dishwashing soap down here????

Re: PSA on leaf cutter ants Posted by Jo Anna H on September 13, 2023, 10:39 am, in reply to "Re: PSA on leaf cutter ants" Um, good question, Wayne; I think I took some down a few years ago. p.s. It's supposed to be the blue stuff, not the green (whatever!). Maybe Costco ... or something like that????

Re: PSA on leaf cutter ants Posted by Amber on September 13, 2023, 11:10 am, in reply to "Re: PSA on leaf cutter ants" I get my Dawn from La Comer, at times Soriano has it. Can also get it online.

Re: PSA on leaf cutter ants Posted by Devalinda on September 12, 2023, 8:59 pm, in reply to "PSA on leaf cutter ants" Thanks Lisa....wasting money on poison, which I HATE using anyway is a horrible idea ...there is already so much everywhere...I had no idea it would not work even tho Icertainly tried it....will try the pvc pipe

Re: PSA on leaf cutter ants Posted by m morgan on September 15, 2023, 9:50 pm, in reply to "Re: PSA on leaf cutter ants" possibly a good solution https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Pi_l0db7ONs?feature=share

Re: PSA on leaf cutter ants Posted by joanne on September 21, 2023, 9:07 pm, in reply to "Re: PSA on leaf cutter ants" Purchase a bunch of ground cayenne or chili pepper, ground cloves and ground cinnamon. Mix them together and sprinkle around the tree or bush…..along the edge of your wall….toss a bit on the bottom leaves….shake it on the driveway so they don’t get into the yard…. shake it against the trunk of the tree…wherever you need it…..it all works like a hot damn (literally)…. sends them searching for somewhere else to chomp leaves.

Re: PSA on leaf cutter ants Posted by monte morgan on September 22, 2023, 8:52 am, in reply to "Re: PSA on leaf cutter ants" Sounds good Joanne. It is a little hard getting the mix to stick to the bottom of leaves (gravity ya know). Putting the mix in liquid form and adding 2 or 3 drops of dish soap will help adhere to the leaves.

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