A Community and Forum For Aquaponic Gardeners

Pests

Hi Folks,

I'm looking for inputs on pests in particular ants. I am looking at a document called BIOINTENSIVE INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM) but was wondering if anyone has had to contend with ants and if so what did you do about it. I see a lot of ants running all over the surface of the rafts, I'm worried that they may be going after the roots of some of my plants.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Harold Sukhbir on June 2, 2011 at 10:40am

Hi Nigel,

Great to see you here. We have a lot of discussions on pest scattered here and there around the forums. Personally i leave them alone and they don't seem to affect my AP. Have a look here for further discussions http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/the-bug-battle

Permalink Reply by Todd Winton on June 2, 2011 at 10:49am

I cant speak to ants effecting the roots, but, if you want to get rid of them, diatomacious earth will take care of them. It is non-toxic and commonly used as a calcium suppliment for farm animals. It is a fine powder that is like glass to ants. Put a generous line around the base of your toughs and the problem should be solved pretty quickly. I have put it down under the weed mat my troughs are on to prevent just that.

Permalink Reply by Nigel Clement on June 2, 2011 at 1:39pm

Harold, Todd thanks again. Trying to ensure I maintain my processes as near to organic as possible. Yesterday a worker at an organic farm told me they frequently use a mixture of boiled hot peppers, garlic and neem as an organic pesticide. As soon as I have the specific formula I'll share it.