Hi,

I live in a wooded area - with lots of shade and rain. For the last several years, small red ants have been destroying my impatiens by eating the bottom of the stem and the roots (the healthy plants will wilt and the stems fall of where the stems touch the soil - that is where they get chewed off). I have tried Ortho ready mix Bug-B-Gon (Diazion mix) which destroyed the imaptiens in addition to reducing the ants - although the ants came back again) and Bug Get a Plus pellets (ants, slime, slugs) which is supposed to attract the insects and kill them - only for sure it attracted more ants and did not do anything else. I tried other insecticides also, but it affects the plants no matter how dilute I make them.

I put in so much effort in taking care of the impatiens and replant them on and on but it is a losing battle. Any suggestion or remedy will be greatly appreciated.