Ant Invasions
By Mary Giambalvo , Master Gardener
| A: While there are over 200 ant =
species in=20
the world, Argentine ants are the most prevalent in =
California.=20
These omnipresent pests work hard to get in our homes and = invade=20 our gardens. They search out sweets and fats in vegetable or = animal=20 form and trek relentlessly toward their quarry.=20 |
Argentine Ant Copyright = UC=20 Regents |
While we cannot and would not want to eradicate all ants, we = can direct=20 our efforts toward eliminating them from indoor living areas and = our most=20 prized plants.=20
For the indoors, caulking and sealing possible pathways into = the house=20 is the first and safest line of defense. Cleaning food spills as = they=20 occur is the second.=20
Outdoors, ants favor plants that accommodate aphids, white = flies and=20 other insects that produce sweet, sticky honeydew. Ants actually = farm=20 their food-producing cohorts, much like a shepherd with a flock of = sheep.=20 Eradicating the insects with a blast of water or insecticidal soap = will=20 send the ants elsewhere. Applying a sticky barrier around the = trunk of an=20 affected tree or plant disrupts the ants' progress, as well.=20