[Tia Maria]

I just sat in the garden and within 5 minutes my baby son had 3 ants and 2 mozzies on him. On closer inspection the lawn was almost 'moving' with ants.

I don't normally mind things like that in the garden, as I think that's where they belong, but this seemed a bit extreme. Also I don't normally expect to see mozzies till evening.

Is it the time of the year or could there be something about my garden attracting them?

Is there anything I can do? It seemed a shame to bring him in on a lovely day like this. :(

Cheers

Tia

[Moorf]

Quick question - is your lawn covered in little mounds of dirt/sand that the ants are coming from?

[Tia Maria]

No, no obvious nests, but then we do have a fair few weeds where they could be hiding!:D

Cheers

Tia

[Moorf]

:laugh

I was going to suggest soaking the lawn, doesn't need to be boiling water, a hose will do (but then haven't you guys just had a recent hosing (weather))?

Anyway, if you can't see nests then you'd be best using Boric acid products (sounds nasty but it's pretty safe for mammals, just not insects, but still handle with care) - or get some boric acid from hardware store and mix it yourself with sugar and water, pop in jar, punch holes in lid, put in garden somewhere safe from and pets and wait for ants to come and take the boric back to their nest where it will kill the colony.

Another thing - I remember from when I had a similar ant problem in our Sumner rental - I was told to pick up an ant and squidge it between my fingers to see if it smelt of anything - now I can't remember which way round it was but it was to test for some Argentinian ant that would need to be eradicated if found... a Google search might help more on that - sorry, vague!

Moorf

PS - are they definitely mozzies - could they be flying ants? You might be experiencing a colony on the move if there aren't obvious nests?

[Moorf]

I had a quick search and found this on squidging and sniffing ants!!

http://archived.ccc.govt.nz/MediaReleases/2004/December/20155058.asp

Might not be a problem up your end of the country.

[Tia Maria]

Moorf wrote:

I had a quick search and found this on squidging and sniffing ants!!

:eek: Well I can tell you something now I'm not squidging and sniffing ants ......... I'll get the boys on to that one! :D

I think you can get those ants on the North Island, I seem to recall some council mail-out asking you to look out for ants marching in rows.

I think I'll get myself down to Hammer Hardware and buy some Boric Acid at the weekend, thanks for the suggestion. :nice1

Cheers

Tia

PS Yes definitely mozzies, the boys have got the bites to prove it. I don't need to use repellant, as long as I'm standing next to the boys I'm safe. :laugh

[Tia Maria]

I'm going to start a new shorthand phrase:

IWGYRBCBYBTHB

(I would give you reputation but I can't because you've been too helpful before!)

OK so maybe I need to come up with something a bit catchier! :laugh

Cheers

Tia

[Moorf]

:laugh:laugh

[Tia Maria]

How about:

SERFY

Translated: Sorry Enough Reputation For You!

or

OORHAB :raebanana

Translated: Out of Reputation, Have a Banana!

or

GYOSR

Translated: Giving You On Screen Reputation!

Or

THANKS

Translated: Thanks!

I think I really should be feeding the kids :exit

Cheers

Tia

[Trigirl]

while thanks is nice it was OORHAB :raebanana that made me just burst out laughing in the office!

[zardell]

How about:


OORHAB :raebanana

Translated: Out of Reputation, Have a Banana!






Ooh I like that - OORHAB - :raebanana

Julie

xx

[willsken]

Ooh I like that - OORHAB - :raebanana

Julie

xx

Tia I'm with Zardell. OORAB :raebanana is really great!

On the Rep note, I couldn't give any today as I have given out too much in the last 24 hours! How much is too much if what people are saying deserves rep? :roll

[srivett]

:laugh OORHAB is great! Very catchy.

I don't suppose it's possible to modify the forum settings? I keep wanting to give out rep for series of helpful posts (like all the Myths Exposed) and it doesn't seem fair to the authors than I can't.