
08-09-2009, 07:33 PM
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Location: Sheridan, Wy
1,466 posts, read 3,888,997 times
Reputation: 651
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I am growing Okra this year for the first time. I discovered over the past couple days there are clusters of ants on a couple of my okra pods destroying them. I read online they like the nectar from the pods while they pods are developing.
Is there something I can spray on the pods? that is organic and won't hurt the plants? or something I can sprinkle around the base of the plant?
Thanks for any help 
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08-09-2009, 07:55 PM
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Location: in my mind
2,743 posts, read 13,928,130 times
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I don't know if it will work for your situation or not, but I had FIRE ants all in my flower bed and kept reading suggestions to put coffee grounds in it to get rid of them. I was skeptical but it worked! I got tons of grounds free from starbucks, I go towards the end of a shift and get a big huge bag. I drink coffee but this was much faster, I got enough to cover my bed in a couple days, and the fire ants are gone.
HTH
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08-10-2009, 12:04 AM
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4,901 posts, read 8,203,955 times
Reputation: 7107
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fierce_flawless
I don't know if it will work for your situation or not, but I had FIRE ants all in my flower bed and kept reading suggestions to put coffee grounds in it to get rid of them. I was skeptical but it worked! I got tons of grounds free from starbucks, I go towards the end of a shift and get a big huge bag. I drink coffee but this was much faster, I got enough to cover my bed in a couple days, and the fire ants are gone.
HTH
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Wow, hope this wasn't just a fluke! I'm going to try it on a potted plant that fire ants have moved into, also in my garden (which isn't much yet, but the fire ants are already there....I hate 'em).
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08-10-2009, 02:48 PM
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Location: Sheridan, Wy
1,466 posts, read 3,888,997 times
Reputation: 651
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Thanks ladies I am going to maybe call my county extension and the local green house to see if they any ideas. If not I will try to coffee grounds thanks a bunch! 
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08-10-2009, 04:01 PM
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Location: Sheridan, Wy
1,466 posts, read 3,888,997 times
Reputation: 651
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Well the greenhouse was absolutely no help.. so I am hoping the county extension emails me back...
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08-12-2009, 01:13 PM
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Location: Sheridan, Wy
1,466 posts, read 3,888,997 times
Reputation: 651
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*Update!
I found a solution! I emailed my local extension and they were very helpful and I emailed Gardener's supply and they were also very helpful.
There is a product called Diatomaceous Earth that insects with exoskeletons do not like, it's fossilized shells and it will tear them apart. It's a dust you sprinkle on and won't hurt that plant but repels the ants!
Plus my county extension guy told me lemon scented dish soap can work. 2 Tablespoons for every gallon of water.
You want to know what is really silly, the same greenhouse that was no help at all. They carry Diatomaceous earth but never suggested it to me! Kind of frustrating. If I didn't need it right away I would but it from the Gardner's supply folks.
Anyways thought I would pass this along to anyone that runs into this problem in the future! 
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08-12-2009, 01:34 PM
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Location: Newport, NC
955 posts, read 3,934,007 times
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Just a first impression - from the title of this thread I would say that you don't have help ants at all, but some other kind. Hope you're able to control them. 
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08-12-2009, 01:42 PM
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Location: In a house
21,956 posts, read 23,359,441 times
Reputation: 15021
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Funny, that is exactly what I was going to suggest. Diatomaceous earth is wonderful for a number of things. I also give it to the stray cats in the area in their foods as it prevents worms. Works for dogs too. Perfectly safe. Happy you found out about this product. I purchase the human grade as the other is a little questionable on the safty of it's uses.
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