Question for all of you in fire ant territory: Growing roses for decades but not much else, I traditionally kept fire ants in check with chemical fire ant baits. Now that I am planting to encourage butterflies, I am quite concerned about any insecticides that might also harm the larvae or adults. Ants seem to be a serious preditory threat, so how do I best combat them without poisoning the caterpillars? Your ideas and experience with butterfly gardening is certainly welcome. Here is a blog I saw on the question. [monarch.org.nz]
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Boric acid and grape jelly
nogod
Level 7
Apr 10, 2019
1
if you mix the boric acid in jelly, on a pad, it's pretty much non toxic to every thing around it, l've been doing this for years. it's very effective when l put a small plastic pad with a 70/30 mixture 70- jelly, nothing else bothers it, and believe me, what l grow is far more expensive than ANY other plant l put in,and needed.Do as you will, l've used Diatamacious earth, over time, to me, it lost a bit too much effectiveness l even use this mixture in my mobile home, my dog can't get to it, nor does he like the smell. And l cannot smell it.
So do primarily ants go for that, or do butterflies or bees ever get attracted by the sweetness?
Ditamacious earth is the lesser of the evils.
freeofgod
Level 8
Apr 10, 2019
1
For those who don't know , diatinacious , is a fine white powder , commonly used swimming pool filters , so is available in the pool supply stores .
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