[paulb58]

Hi All just wondered if someone can help me out a week ago on my plot I noticed the leaves on my first earlies were drying up and shrivelling like they were not being watered so I watered them and a few days later it had made no difference except I noticed 2 more plants going the same way as if they were drying out so I watered them again and  it ended up today that 8 of my 12 rows were all the same so I pulled the first up the plant came out without a struggle and the end of the plant was all mushy and had red ants on it so I dug down where I found a large number of red ants so I pulled another 2 they were the same and digging down again found thousands of ants and eggs too and the further I got allong the row the more ants and eggs I found so who ever said red ants dont damage you crops is wrong I have put ant powder down but can anyone suggest other ways to control ants as they are also in my main crop too now.
thanks for replies in advance.
paulb.   

[AndyRVTR]

Sorry to hear it Paul  , I cant think of any solution myself other then powder, but i'm sure someone will be along shortly to help... 

[iggyboy]

find out where the ants are and pour boiling water over them!!! I am assuming you have a place to make a brew on your plot,so this is my answer to getting rid of the blighters.

[paulb58]

find out where the ants are and pour boiling water over them!!! I am assuming you have a place to make a brew on your plot,so this is my answer to getting rid of the blighters.

Thanks for the response from you and andy so far yes have a place to make a brew so will give that a go, cant miss them though theres millions of them and there eggs thats all you can see when I pulled up some spud plants and dug the trench out with a trowel so they not hard to find.
Andy yep done that used a whole comtainer of powder for 2 rows of spuds went on plot today to find my other 8 rows of spuds are mow getting attacked by the ants (not good) no spuds for me this year then :-(

[AndyRVTR]

Sorry to hear it mate...   I really dont know what to suggest, I've certainly never come across an Ant infestation like the one you describe... like I said hopefully one of the more experienced members might be able to offer some help.

[paulb58]

Sorry to hear it mate...   I really dont know what to suggest, I've certainly never come across an Ant infestation like the one you describe... like I said hopefully one of the more experienced members might be able to offer some help.

Hi Andy thanks again mate thats ok no nor have I it just seems a bit strange that this has happened someone asked if I had something thats attracting ants to this spot but I cant think of anything at present my shallots are next to the spuds and the ants havent touched them? then after the 10 rows of spuds I have my runners and peas and thats it last year I had all my brassica there plus beetroot where my runners and peas are now so theres nothing I can think would attract them I have now put down loads of ant powder and covered it over so it stays dry and has a chance to work, also someone said as the ants dry out the soil if I give the area a real heavy soaking of water that will soack through and drive the ants away as they dont like water so I may give that a try too and someone else suggested putting spearmit in the ground which deters the ants but then they are in the usa so not sure about that one lol