cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/22945751

Hello.

See the picture please. Ants found their way into many panels of my (bought with the house, no idea about its history) greenhouse. At first I thought they could he beneficial, cleaninf up the crud that found its way in there but now they are laying mondo quantities of eggs.

I just spent 3 hours removing and washing two panels, but the greenhouse is built between two metal fences and either I’m doing it wrong, or the location doesn’t make it easier. I will have to do it again to replace the broken tape closing the panels (which is arguably the root cause) but… I’m open to suggestions. Maybe I’m overthinking it and they will move out when it’s really hot?

Antsy yours

S11

  • signaleleven@slrpnk.netOPEnglish
    2·
    9 days ago

    slrpnk.net was gone for a while, and I didn’t update the thread, but I wanted to thank you again, @StopSpazzing@lemmy.world We went through a cold-ish and super rainy week and into a heatwave, and while they kept shuffling their cocoons around, they seem to clean up after themselves and leave when hatched. Now, it seems like it’s an invasive species around here, and they are a bit annoying in some places (my wife’s workplace had an indoor wave of them). I’ll confirm the species when I get a chance. But for the specific case of the greenhouse, they are very considerate guests, ignoring my plants, nursing their babies, and GTFO. I think they leave the panels cleaner than they find them. A+ guests, would host again :D

    • Spaz@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      8 days ago

      Interesting. Yeah glad it all resolved itself. Sucks they are invasive but either case i agree it is fun to watch them. Glad i could assist.

      • signaleleven@slrpnk.netOPEnglish
        1·
        2 days ago

        Well it’s not “solved”, and they seem to be increasing in number, but its not like that became the “hive” (which I’m sure it’s not the right name for ants). Way way more cocoons are appearing and disappearing than the average amount of “nurses” shuffling them around. And crucially, while they walk around a metal beam inside, they don’t seem to care about my tomatoes and my plants. The feeling I get is that they are guests. I’m ready to regret my choice of not acting, but so far they keep behaving.

        • Spaz@lemmy.worldEnglish
          1·
          2 days ago

          Just a reminder, If they are invasive, they will kill off native species. This could be bad or good depending on if you have other insect issues, but often it’s bad. I would suggest fixing the greenhouse siding as see if the move elsewhere or if you want to be kind to all the other native species in your area, would recommend some ant bait to kill off the queen(s). In USA we have an ant bait that is a mix of sugar and borox which is spread around the colony before it kills them. Takes about 2-3 weeks but you will start seeing less and less ants.

          At the rate they are growing, Im worried you will be overrun with them. Im hoping they dont sting or bite as they could harm any animals you have.