Pests ...?!

[rst]

Hey all !
Well I am growing a few things like Rocket Mustard etc
and I noticed lots of ants and some beetle like critters on the patch,
The rocket etc is only seedlings and a few things haven't germinated yet ..
Is it causing any harm to my vegetable patch?!
If so how can i stop them , I really can't afford to go and spalsh out on something big..

[Jeanied]

I think you may find the flea beetle is one of the culprits in your case, rst - they absolutely love rocket. My rocket is full of holes - but it is still edible and very nice too.

[rst]

I think you may find the flea beetle is one of the culprits in your case, rst - they absolutely love rocket. My rocket is full of holes - but it is still edible and very nice too.

so they don't destroy the rocket ?!
Are you sure ?! Lol ....

[Jeanied]

Ants only go for meaty things like aphis (greenfly etc) so they are not a direct threat to your produce. They do 'farm' the aphis though, so they place them on your tender seedlings and milk them for their sweet juices - which is an issue for the grower as the aphis feed on plant sap.
Beetles, on the other hand, are quite useful - unless they are the tiny flea beetle who ping around in true flea fashion and make tiny holes in your rocket, mizuna and radish leaves!

[rst]

Ants only go for meaty things like aphis (greenfly etc) so they are not a direct threat to your produce. They do 'farm' the aphis though, so they place them on your tender seedlings and milk them for their sweet juices - which is an issue for the grower as the aphis feed on plant sap.
Beetles, on the other hand, are quite useful - unless they are the tiny flea beetle who ping around in true flea fashion and make tiny holes in your rocket, mizuna and radish leaves!

Mhmm , So do I need to worry about any of the ants or beetle on my produce ?!
Do I need to take some action or anything or can I just leave it be ?!

[Two_Sheds]

If you have ants, then you have aphids. You need to find them and squish them, with your fingers.

I have deja vu now. Beetles (ground beetles) are the gardener's friend. Flea beetles are a nuisance: they pepper the leaves with small holes. If you do an advanced search on here for "flea + beetle" you will find lots of advice on dealing with them.

Basically, they like dry conditions, so keep the rocket watered or misted.

[Davyburns]

I have just noticed an ant colony in my second compost bin. Is there a way to get rid without spoiling the compost?

[Jeanied]

Ants in the compost bin is a signal it is all too dry - give it a stir about and a good watering DB.

[Two_Sheds]

I watered my dalek ants with comfrey tea: they didn't like that!

[binley100]

I watered my dalek ants with comfrey tea: they didn't like that!

D'ya blame them......have you tried it

[Two_Sheds]

I did accidentally slosh some in my wellie once: that learned me

[DarkCrow]

I did accidentally slosh some in my wellie once: that learned me

Should have worn Caloshes!

[Two_Sheds]

lol yeah. What a memory you have

[DarkCrow]

D'ya blame them......have you tried it

yer not sposed to drink it Bins!!

[binley100]

.....but it smelt so delightful .....................NOT