ANTS

 

<<And the ants!  I could do without all those ants *everywhere* on Spuria & foetidissima flowers.>>
Dennis: RUN.....DO NOT WALK to your nearest farm store/nursery and purchase a product named TALSTAR.  (Check it out on Google or BING). This product was recommended to me three years ago by my local fertilizer/herbicide/insecticide supplier. I have used it every year since to keep the ants off my 100+ spurias during bloom time. Hybridizing spurias is so much easier without the ants getting there first. The cost might seem rather high (about $38.00/25 lb bag) but very little is needed to be effective and one bag should last a long time. I have not noted any expiry date on the package.
 
My procedure:
 
1. When ants are noted on the plants give the stalk a sharp tap once or twice to knock the ants off the plant.
 
2. Sprinkle the TALSTAR very lightly around the base and throughout the clump just as you would salt your food. Don't over apply!!!
 
That is all that is necessary. The product is not affected by rain and one application should last the entire bloom season.
 
If you are able to locate the nest (colony) sprinkle TALSTAR over and around  the entrance. I have found it to be effective within an hour or less.
 
Dave Silverberg
AIS Librarian
 
P.S. I have not had an ant colony in my garden since I started using TALSTAR.

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