How to get rid of ants from a greenhouse?

[wild]

The past couple of weeks the ants in my greenhouse & I have had an understanding - Staying away from each other. It hasn't really been a problem for me until today. I was re-potting a plant, I pulled out the plant from the pot. Suddenly, tonnes and tonnes of ants were all over me instantly Several bit me, and when I dropped the pot & plant they didn't disperse for ages as there were so many of them.

Additional questions: Are ants harmful to my plants? Is there a way of getting rid of them?

Thank you x

[lottie dolly]

Ants under plants do not work,they destroy the roots system,my advice would be to not use that bit for now,if you move the ground,you will find a nest to deal with,try exposing the nest and pour boiling water on it,but get the water ready first,as the blighters are very quick at moving home,also put some semolina down,it should get taken down to feed the queen,who will then get to fat for her skin,there are some older threads on just this in the archives

[greenishfing]

Boiling water works for me too.

[wild]

Interesting, thanks guys :-)

[Jungle Jane]

If the nest is within the potted plant don't pour boiling water on the plant! Has the plant been in the same pot for a couple of years or for a long time? If you keep watering the plant they might get fed up & move without having to do anything,they like a dry surrounding I think,water would annoy them wouldn't it?

[Nicos]

Sprinkle polenta about the place.
Sounds mean, but it expands and then kills them underground.
Boiling water will only kill the surface ones.

[Knight of Albion]

'Pour boiling water on them'? Having boiling water poured on you, how would you like it?
And it will achieve what?

If ants have built a nest in a pot or under a plant, we can be sure of one thing, without even having to be there to see it. It's dry! And that's why they chose the spot. They can't work wet soil and the intricate tunnels of an ant colony will collapse in wet conditions.
A quick burst of a watering can with the rose on, they'll soon get the message and move out.

[Nicos]

Thanks for sharing that KofA.
Didn't know that.

[lottie dolly]

Sorry,but the water did nothing in my green house when i had them,nor when the heavens opened up on the old lawn that was smothered in them,just stating my experience with them

[vixylix]

Knight of Albion... does the same happen in heavy rain? Just thinking where would they move to if it was raining?!

I have never seen ants in my garden before... but I lifted a pot the other day and there were loads of them! I just put the pot back down

[Scarlet]

If the nest is within the potted plant don't pour boiling water on the plant! Has the plant been in the same pot for a couple of years or for a long time? If you keep watering the plant they might get fed up & move without having to do anything,they like a dry surrounding I think,water would annoy them wouldn't it?

Yes, when the area is watered often and the ground is wet they move on.

[Finley]

Ants hate vinegar too!

[Guest]

My garden is especially bad for ants this year and I can't find any nest entrances. I even redone the soil in one gh thinking they were in it and they weren't they are still just as bad. Water has never seemed to work on mine. I will be trying everything this year as they have started coming in the house and that is a no go zone for any wildlife

[lottie dolly]

Knight of Albion... does the same happen in heavy rain? Just thinking where would they move to if it was raining

the compost bin,and i leave them to it,they are experts at getting it fine

[lottie dolly]

Ants hate vinegar too!

But be careful as,to much makes the ground acidic