- Joined
- Oct 21, 2013
- Messages
- 7
I'm a new tort owner and looking to move the new torts to an outdoor enclosure next spring. I was hoping to hear from others on methods to keep fire ants from harming their torts. I live in SE Texas. Thanks.
How to keep fire ants at bay?
- Thread starter tinkntoro
- Start date
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2013
- Messages
- 462
I go outside of the enclosure and pour vinegar all around the perimeter. If there is already fire ants, I take the torts out, pour in the cage but not drenched and wait about 24 hours to put them back in.
We've talked a lot about ants. If you just type "ants" in the Google Custom Search box up at the top/right on every page, you will get many, many hits. Here is just one:
www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-28342.html
www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-28342.html
DE. Diatemaceous Earth. Get it at your local feed store. Make sure it is food grade and spread it all over the enclosure. After that suround the enclosure with something that is a killer and a repelant. Don't ever spray inside the enclosure.
I had a bunch of fire ants try to invade my garden and I literally squished them in my hand in panic. Then I did the above and have not seen a single ant in there since. The flip side is, I have not seen any good species of insects in there either but it is a trade off I am willing to do.
I had a bunch of fire ants try to invade my garden and I literally squished them in my hand in panic. Then I did the above and have not seen a single ant in there since. The flip side is, I have not seen any good species of insects in there either but it is a trade off I am willing to do.
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2013
- Messages
- 7
Thanks for the link to thread and the suggestions. I should have done a search before posting...newbie mistake. ;0). Thanks again.
Move where there are none?
Cowboy_Ken said:
Wow! What a blessing that would be. To live fire ant free. What is that like Ken? Us Texans would not know that feeling. I have actually woken up with thousands of them in my bed before!
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2013
- Messages
- 462
Re: RE: How to keep fire ants at bay?
Us texans have a little more ants than most, especially in early fall\late summer
Saleama said:
Us texans have a little more ants than most, especially in early fall\late summer
Here in Oregon, fire ants, I believe, would be “put out". We do have carpenter ants and they are down right destructive.
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2013
- Messages
- 7
Cowboy_Ken said:
Would love to be able to move where there are no fire ants...Antarctica, maybe.
But seriously, they tend to pop up in the yard wherever they want. So you might start in an ant free area, and then they migrate in from the neighbor's houses. They are undefeatable...just looking for a stalemate!
