25 replies to this topic

[Myrmicinae]

I never find ants in potted plants.    I think that my local nurseries are just too careful about inspecting their imported plants.

[Ants4fun]

I never find ants in potted plants. I think that my local nurseries are just too careful about inspecting their imported plants.

I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing! 😃

[Myrmicinae]

 

I never find ants in potted plants. I think that my local nurseries are just too careful about inspecting their imported plants.

I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing!

 

 

Both, I think.  I assume that it has some benefit in preventing establishment of non-native species, but I can't help but feel disappointed. 

Edited by Myrmicinae, March 8 2015 - 12:39 PM.

[Foogoo]

My Pheidole were in a similar container and I moved them by hand, took 3 hours... Then Drew said something about placing a test tube in there and having them move themselves once the soil dries. Why don't you try that? Maybe transfer this to a larger, flat container so it dries out quicker and fluon/oil/barrier the edge so they can't crawl out and place a few darkened test tubes in it?

[Vendayn]

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Edited by Vendayn, March 9 2018 - 7:12 PM.

[Crystals]

The only way I have gotten a lot of ants out of soil is to carefully pour the dirt out into a large rubbermaid bin and add test tubes while letting it slowly dry out.  Spread the soil out so it is only 1-3cm deep. 

I do loose a lot of eggs or small larvae this way, but queens can easily lay more eggs if it comes to a choice between the eggs and the colony.

 

A word about that container though - plastic tends to aborb stuff that it is in contact with.  It is why if food grows mold in plastic you just throw it out.  Depending how long it held the ants, you may want to heavily bleach that container, or perhaps go to the dollar store and get a new one.