Ants In Orchid

12 years ago

This is the second time I have had sugar ants in my orchid and I don't know what to do. They have built a colony and it's still too cold to put it outside for the summer. What natural pesticide can I use to get them out and keep them away? Right now it is bare root in a bag with the ants.

It bloomed for the first time in October and just finished it's first cycle and is getting ready to bloom again. I'm very worried as I have never been able to keep an orchid alive or blooming before. It lost most of it's wood chunks/soil, (it's one of those you get at the store and use 3 ice cubes a week), when we pulled it out of the pot to see the damage. Help!

Thank you!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

jane__ny
12 years ago
Why is the plant in a bag? I would stick the orchid in a bucket of water and leave it there overnight. Should drown the ants.

Jane
garlicgrower
12 years ago
When I have the ant problem, I do the water soak - but if it appears htere are armies of ants and they are carrying their eggs or larvae out, then I dump all the material and repot fresh.

Try to clean thoughly around where the pot will sit so you destroy the scent trails the ants leave.

Also, an ant bait type of insecticide should help. I used a 'terro' bait. You have to leave it alone for a days, but oncve the nats bring the poison back to their nest (not the one in the pot) they shoulld diminish.

Good luck with this frustrating problem.
ML
Related Professionals
Fort Myers Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Detroit Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Muskegon Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Green Bay Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Reno Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Ocala Landscape Contractors · Chambersburg Landscape Contractors · Spanish Fork Landscape Contractors · Paducah General Contractors · Salisbury General Contractors · Rolla General Contractors · Middletown General Contractors · Watertown General Contractors · Clovis General Contractors · Butte General Contractors
petrushka (7b)
12 years ago
i have used indoor systemic from bonide (imidacloprin) to get rid of ants in pots. need to sprinkle it and wet it.
then i found this in some post, but never tried it:
Zep Citrus cleaner & degreaser concentrate @ Home Depot gallon jug $8.00... use 50/25 to one in a spray bottle for creepy-crawlies or as a soak for ants. the guy posted that they now use it in cali for termite control too. and he said it was safe on his orchids as a soak.