Red ants. Help!

starlight09 · #1 (**permalink**) 27-04-2010, 07:18 PM

I have found red ants in my garden. I had this problem years ago and put ant killing powder in the garden which did the trick. But I have a dog now who uses the garden a lot. How can I get rid of them without using stuff that could harm my dog?
My dog would eat any traps or food I place in the garden. I could place something under the patio slabs but I don't know what to do elsewhere.

Jason Green · #2 (**permalink**) 27-04-2010, 07:28 PM

Evening Starlight,

Out of interest, why would you want to kill-off the ants in your garden? At the very least their tunnels aerate the soil. I doubt any high level of activity will persist for much longer.

I have three species in mine - Lasius niger, Lasius mixtus and Tetramorium caespitum. I used to have a Myrmica sp. as well, but haven't seen that one for a couple of years. I wouldn't want to be without a single one of them species!

For me, if you remove an entire species from their natural habitat, you don't know what effect it may have or species that may take over...

Take care,

Jason

starlight09 · #3 (**permalink**) 27-04-2010, 07:42 PM

Hi Jason!
I thought red ants bite. That's why I want to get rid. Do they bite?

Jason Green · #4 (**permalink**) 27-04-2010, 07:55 PM

Ah! Well, yes they do have a sting used in self-defense but would only be utilised under extreme provocation - such as really trying to destroy a nest or threatening their larvae!

I wouldn't think twice before handling an adult at all. We have several pretty similar-looking species in the UK (differenciation requires a close look at the base of the antennae with a microscope, among further stages), and I would assume the strength of any defense mechanism would depend on the species.

Of course, the colony may not even be based in your own garden, which is what they'd be generically most protective of! Apparently Myrmica are good at removing pest species, too.

Elean0r · #5 (**permalink**) 27-04-2010, 11:49 PM

We've got red ants in our garden, and black ones, but none of us have ever been bitten by them although I can remember being bitten when I was little - it taught me to respect them. If the dog does get bitten it won't come to any serious harm, it's no worse than a mosquito bite.

starlight09 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 01:20 PM

I've got kids staying. What should I do about the red ants? I don't think they'll be okay with them as much as my dog is.

JRsbugs · #7 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 01:48 PM

As long as the ants are not threatened there is no reason to fear them, but they are not usually a threat to anyone if they do happen to bite. If an ant bites it is because it's defending itself, same as we would, it would rather run in the opposite direction.

If you start to use poisons you will not only kill off the ants, but damage other wildlife too.

Poisons are nasty, ants can be interesting to watch. A good opportunity to show the kids the ants and teach them about respecting nature.

Janet

Ladywell · #8 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 01:52 PM

I thought that ants squirted formic acid from their rear ends when threatened - didn't know that they bit!

Jason Green · #9 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 01:53 PM

A good post Janet, and I'm sure the kids would be fascinated

AlanS · #10 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ladywell

I thought that ants squirted formic acid from their rear ends when threatened - didn't know that they bit!

Depends on your ant. Some squirt formic acid, some (said to be more "primitive") can sting, all have powerful jaws.

Personally, I would be delighted to have red ants colonise my garden, though I fear any attempts at nest building would be disrupted by the regular re-landscaping carried out by the foxes.

Alan