Page 16 - JULY 7, 2016 - martensviLLe messenger
Complete Automotive and Tire Service Centre
Open 8-5:30 Monday - Friday
109 Centennial Dr. North, Martensville
Accredited
306.975.2140
GARDENING
Ant Patrol - Ant Control
Erl Svendsen
Ants are synonymous with
picnics and pants. And for
some, that list also includes
their yard, where they may
have invaded the lawn,
garden and patio/driveway/
sidewalk.
aphid colonies).
To fight them, it is best to
follow the advice of Sun
Tzu, legendary Chinese
philosopher, warrior and
military strategist: know
thyself, know thy enemy, a
thousand battles, a thousand
Despite their reputation, victories.
ants have a good side.
Their tunneling improves There are nearly 90 ant
soil aeration and improves species in Saskatchewan.
drainage. While they may be The ones found in your lawn,
small, because of their sheer garden and paved areas are
number, they turn over more likely to be small and black
soil than earthworms. Ants are to reddish brown. They prefer
attracted not only to sweets, dry locations and generally
they also consume proteins tunnel in loose soil or sand.
and attack other insects. But Like their close relatives,
when their numbers are out wasps, they are social insects
of control, they become a and form colonies with a
nuisance. In the lawn, there’ll queen and several thousand
be raised mounds with sparse workers. When looking to
to no grass growth. In patios control, concentrate on the
and sidewalks, you’ll see nest itself and their trails.
small mounds of sand or
fine soil along cracks. Ants Since ants do provide
also create trails to and from some beneficial services,
sugary food sources (nectar, encouraging them to move is
your first and easiest tactic.
A combination of repeatedly
raking their mound (regular
disturbance) and irrigating
more frequently (making
them uncomfortable) may
do the trick. If they don’t
take the hint, bring in the
reinforcements:
plants
flowers, shrubs and trees to
attract birds (who will thank
you for the free meal).
Ramping up to the next
level, pour boiling water
over the nest. This will kill
hundreds to thousands of
workers and if the water
penetrates deeply enough,
it may get the queen as
well. If nothing else, it may
encourage them to move
elsewhere. Be aware that
boiling water will also kill
your lawn.
For stubborn situations, you
may have to bring in bigger
guns – registered pesticides.
Read the label carefully and
follow all instructions to the
letter to protect yourself,
your children and pets.
Start with diatomaceous
earth (silicone dioxide),
the least toxic option. It is
composed of microscope
diatoms
–
fossilized
hard-shelled algae. It is
a registered pesticide but
is not toxic to animals.
Instead, it is an abrasive
powder and when ants
come in contact, it
scratches their exoskeleton
and they literally dry up.
Often, the diatomaceous
earth product contains an
attractant to encourage ants
to check it out. Apply over
the nest, or where
ants
congregate.
Because i t is such a
fine powder wear a
facemask to avoid
breathing it in. It is
otherwise safe for
children and pets
once applied.
Open H�use
Cele��ati�n!
Many
LOCATED IN
...it’s a li�estyle!
July 13th & 14th, 2016
VIP Tours 11am - 4pm
Open to the Public 5 - 7pm
Door Prizes & Refreshments!
Everyone Welcome!
Call Kelly
before
July 11th
to book
your tour!
151 Beaudry Cres. Martensville, SK
Kelly Bedient 1-866-859-8211
Local Contact: Terri Hetterly
306-249-1917
registered
ABOVE: Ants have excavated a home for themselves beneath
my paving stone brick edge next to my lawn - so messy!
(Erl Svendsen)
ant pesticides contain
borax (liquid, gel, powder),
usually combined with an
attractant into a bait which
ants pick up and take back
to the nest and eventually
to feed to their queen. This
is your ultimate goal: kill
the queen and you kill the
colony. Borax is toxic to
you, your children, pets,
other animals and plants.
Most labels promise that
the nest will be killed
within seven days.
Products
containing
pyrethrins are usually
considered
relatively
safe since they are
derived from plants, are
biodegradable and have
low human toxicity. It’s
insecticidal and insect
repellent properties have
been known for centuries.
Pyrethroids,
synthetic
pyrethrin
(usually
as
d-trans allethrin), have
similar properties but
may
accumulate
in
environment.
Pyrethrin
(not
pyrethroid)
is
considered an organic
pesticide
when
not
combined with piperonyl
butoxide.
Other
registered
ant
pesticides
contain
one or more of the
following:
carbaryl
(Sevin), permethrin, and
abamectin. You
may
also find pyrethroids in
combination with these
chemicals.
They
are
available in various forms:
liquid, spray, pressurized
foams and solid (spike).
While less damaging to
plants, they are toxic to
animals (including your
precious children and
pets). Apply as per label
instructions and take all
recommended precautions.