ANTS in my orchids!!!!

[gardenguysorchids]

Guys I have a problem I have never had before. While watering my orchids this evening I found SEVERAL pots full of ants---eggs and all. What do I do to get rid of the ants? I grow in my basement and don't want them moving upstairs. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks, Bill

[Dazed]

Bill, I have never had ants in my orchids but I have had them in my ferns. In these parts, it's popular to use 85% Sevin powder dissolved in water but this might not be available in your neck of the woods. I have also found Terro is pretty good, it attracks the ants and they take the poison back to their nests and everyone goes belly up. Other than that I not much help. Hope you get a solution quickly

[cakedaddy]

Yikes! I have used the Terro traps to kill ant colonies as well. They do take some time to be effective, as least in my circumstance. That was with a cymbidium that couldn't be moved indoors. I had a "minor" problem with a dendrobium that I took care of by immersing the plant in water. It forced the ants to the top of the plant. At that point, they are vulnerable to anything you throw at them. I can't remember what I used to kill them.
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[opaline]

any of plants in grow area secreting shiny wet looking fluid inorder (in nature) to attract pollinators or trading sweet nectar source in exchange for ant muscle security and protection. May not even be a tempting invitation to attract them but worth a look. Best method is physical removal of habitants, also eggs are fairly easy to see. Abit of battle time will defeat them, ants hate disturbance and will abort.Flea powder is ideal esp if you can stand it short period while on floor corners crevices. Will serve as a bonus in war with ants as force decline on colonies. We have a product 'nippon' works like a systemic but takes time while younger generations are prevented any future existence, the poison is tranferred to bio operations of colony with in nest. Ants do not like nest being damp moist/ wet and prefer dry conditions. A prolonged water dunk will help.

[Miller]

I had the same problem and sprayed a Neem solution on my orchids. The ants are gone now, i see a straggler every now and again but the colonies themselves seem to be gone.

Miller

[gardenguysorchids]

Thank you , my friends. I did repot all that I found. Will try your methods also. You guys and this forum are the greatest!

[tradceci]

OH Bill! I had the same problem a while ago, but my orchids live outside 24/7. I used sevin and it worked great, the ants have not returned. First I submerged the affected plants in a pail of water for a while, then I rinsed for a couple of minutes with the garden hose, and then I applied the sevin solution. Hope it works.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Somehow ants always find their way into my greenhouse. I noticed on Wednesday ants crawling up the roots of an over-grown cattleya and when I put water in the pot, they went everywhere. I plan to spray them tomorrow when I get some time. It is not unusual for us to see them though.

cheers,
BD

[Kmac]

A neem solution works well for me. Good luck!