Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: OB on August 07, 2008, 20:55

Title: Yellow Ants
Post by: OB on August 07, 2008, 20:55

I had a new patio built earlier this year with some planters. I filled them with fresh bagged compost and  planted spme salad, rocket and spinach. It all did really well and we have enjoyed a good number of salad bowls from it. I pulled the spinach and rocket because they had gone to flower and planted some more. But the new seedlings seem to have been attacked by yellow ants and i'll be lucky to have more than a couple left.

Are yellow ants any particular variety or problem? What is  the best method to stop them eating my salad before it even grows? I obviously want to keep the soil okay so I can plant in it.

Thanks

OB

Title: Yellow Ants
Post by: naturesparadise on August 07, 2008, 21:08

YELLOW ants never seen one are you in the uk ?????

Title: Yellow Ants
Post by: OB on August 07, 2008, 21:23

Yes - In Berkshire.......

Title: Yellow Ants
Post by: OB on August 07, 2008, 21:28

In fact I just googled and it look like they are yellow meadow ants, apparently widespread especially in the south of England.

But what to do about them?

Title: Yellow Ants
Post by: FCG on August 07, 2008, 21:32

Crikey, never heard of yellow ants. Are you sure they are? They could be root aphids. Is there a powdery white substance around the roots?

Picture please?

Title: Yellow Ants
Post by: OB on August 09, 2008, 14:19

Can't see any powdery white substance and they are definatley ants. Couldn't get a picture of them today as there was no sign, probably full up and resting. But here are the seedlings:.

(http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll244/rdgact/09082008002.jpg)

Basically either small holes in the seed leaves or gone altogether. This was two complete rows!

I've bought some ant stations and will planmt some more today if it ever stops raining