we found nests of carpenter ants in our crabapple and plum trees. these ants have been a problem (in our house) since we moved in and dh has declared an all-out war (they've destroyed two outside walls and parts of our swingset).

so when he found the nests, he promptly poisened them.

now he wants to eat the plums and I say no-way!

I don't know what poison he used, but I highly doubt its approved for food.

so I have three questions..

1. how long until the tree is 'clean' from the pesticide?

2. how to prevent infestation of ants?

3. how to safely control the ants?

we can't leave the nests, the ants swarm and find more nests, often in our home. the trees are too close to leave them be.