I looked up organic advice and found that many people are having similar problems. There was lots of "remedies", so I thought I'd try some of them: unused coffee grounds sprinkled around the base of the plant, cinnamon sprinkled around the base of the plant, baking soda sprinkled around the base of the plant. These might be affective while dry, but one must water....especially in Texas with most summer days in the 90s and 100s!
Next I sprayed a vinegar and water solution on the plant. The ants didn't like it initially, but soon they ignored it and continued to ravage my okra! The solution also slightly burned some of the okra leaves!
Today I found a youtube video about applying orange oil. So, guess I'll see how that works!
I also found damage on one of my tomato plants. It seems that ants are eating the outer covering of the stalk. I don't know if they are doing this because they like the stalk or because of aphids. Hmmm, more research!
I think the only reliable way to prevent this is to eliminate all the ant mounds somewhat close to the garden -- a sort of search-and-destroy operation. Just my opinion ...
ReplyDeleteAgree!
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