Question
Mike,
Thanks for the reply.  However, most things that are readily available to people in the U.S., such as the product you mentioned, is not sold where we live in Mexico.  I will try to see if someone from the states could bring some down when they visit, if customs will allow it.  In the meantime, can you think of anything that is a natural repellant that I could use?  Maybe something we could get from a market? What about hot peppers? :-)  Our plants are now sticks in the ground, they have cut off all the leaves.

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Followup To
Question -
Hello,

We live in Cozumel, Mexico and have a big cutter ant problem in our garden.  We just planted some new gardenias, and they were completely eaten up by the next morning.  Do you know of something organic that we can put around the plants to keep the cutter ants away?  Thanks!
Answer -
Annie, I personally use Diatomaceous Earth to control many crawling insects, especially ants, although borax powder will work, also.

Diatomaceous Earth is organic and will not harm humans or the environment.  Basically, it is a mineral product composed of crushed fossilized shells which are fatal when a soft-bodied insect crawls across them. They eventually experience dehydration and imminent death.  This product can be purchased at any garden center or through many organic catalogs such as Gardens Alive.  Their website is:

http://www.gardensalive.com/

I hope this helps.  If I can be of further assistance, please write again.

Regards,

Mike


Answer
Annie, you can make some home made remedies that are very effective.  Probably the most effectives ones involve garlic and hot peppers.  Other solutions include:

Spray the area with a solution of tsp. of liquid soap.  The most effective brands are lemon and non-concentrated.

Set out cucumber peels or slices in the garden. Ants have a natural aversion to cucumber. Bitter cucumbers work best.

Leave a few tea bags of mint tea near areas where the ants seem most active. Dry, crushed mint leaves or cloves also work as ant deterrents.

Place any of the following items in the garden in a small line which ants will not cross: cayenne pepper, citrus oil (can be soaked into a piece of string), lemon juice, cinnamon or coffee grounds.

Other recipes include:

Pepper Spray
1 Tbs tabasco or haba馿ro juice
1 garlic bulb
Optional: 1 Tbs cayenne pepper
2 tsp. non-concentrated lemon dish soap
1 gallon water
Pressure sprayer or spray bottle

Rubbing Alcohol Spray
Mix 1 to 2 cups alcohol [Use only 70% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol] per quart of water.  Do not spray directly on foliage.

Garlic Spray
Soak 3 ounces of finely minced garlic cloves in 2 teaspoons of mineral oil for at least 24 hours. Slowly add 1 pint of water that has 1/4 ounce liquid soap or commercial insecticide soap mixed into it. Stir thoroughly and strain into a glass jar for storage.  Use at a rate of 1 to 2 Tbsp. of mixture to a pint of water. If this is effective, try a more dilute solution in order to use as little as possible.

I have used all of the recipes listed and found them to be very beneficial.  Hopefully, these will resolve your issue with ants.

Good luck, and have a great weekend.

Regards,

Mike