How to get ants out of a greenhouse: 3 practical guides
Greenhouses and hotbeds help people protect certain types of plants from sharp temperature fluctuations, and create the most favorable conditions for their growth and development. But, such a comfortable microclimate was to the liking of not only representatives of the flora, but also many different insects. One of them was garden ants.
Content
Reasons for the appearance of ants in the greenhouse
The main pests in the beds are black garden ants. This type of insect is accustomed to living near human land and does not mind becoming an inhabitant of a residential building or greenhouse. The main reasons why pests climb into greenhouses are:
- loose soil in which it is very convenient to build tunnels;
- comfortable temperature;
- high humidity, which contributes to the reproduction of aphids;
- the presence of anthills on the site;
- rotten wood inside the greenhouse;
- no deep digging after harvest.
What is the danger of the presence of ants in the greenhouse
A few individuals of tiny ants, of course, are not capable of causing significant harm to plants. But, as you know, these insects do not walk alone. An ant family that has chosen a greenhouse can create many problems:
- infect with aphids all the plants inside;
- damage seeds and young shoots;
- harm the root systems of plants;
- significantly increase the acidity of the soil.
What types of cultivated plants can be affected by ants in a greenhouse
Ants are known for their love of sweets, and it was for the sake of sweet honeydew that these insects learned to “graze” aphids. For the same reason, the main harm from ants falls on berries, fruits and vegetables, which contain a large amount of sugar. In the greenhouse, they most often harm such crops:
- tomatoes;
- Strawberry;
- cucumbers;
- beet.
How to get rid of ants in a greenhouse
Since the greenhouse is an enclosed space, the processing of the beds by various means should be carried out very carefully.
Chemicals
Working with chemicals in a greenhouse is a very dangerous business, so before you start processing, you should open all windows and doors wide open, and put on personal protective equipment.
The following preparations showed the best result in the fight against ants:
- Ant;
- Raptor;
- Combat;
- Ecokiller;
- Throw;
- Argus.
Traditional recipes
Most people prefer folk methods, because, unlike chemicals, they are absolutely safe, but at the same time they give very good results. Most often, such means are used to treat plants in a greenhouse.
| Ammonia solution | To get the required concentration, you need 2-3 tbsp. l. dissolve ammonia in 5 liters of water, and cultivate the soil in places where ants accumulate. |
| A mixture of soda and sugar | It is enough to mix these two components and scatter along the route of the insects. |
| Vegetable oil and vinegar | These two liquids must be thoroughly mixed and used to spray ant habitats. You can also water the anthill with this solution. |
| Kerosene solution | For 10 liters of water, it is enough to add 2-3 tbsp. l. kerosene. The finished mixture is used for spraying the soil in the greenhouse. |
Traps and lures
All sorts of traps and poisonous baits for insects also help in the fight against ants. Such funds can be purchased in specialized stores, or made independently. Among the ready-made traps for sale, devices from the Raptor and Combat manufacturers have proven themselves best. For those who want to make a trap with their own hands, there are several simple and effective options.
Prevention of the appearance of ants in the greenhouse
To prevent ants from coveting greenhouse beds, you must follow some recommendations and rules:
- Every year after harvesting, it is necessary to loosen and dig up the soil in the greenhouse.
- It is very important to remove tops, weeds and other plant residues from greenhouse beds in a timely manner.
- Plants should be inspected regularly for aphid infestations, as the conditions created in a greenhouse are perfect for these tiny pests to thrive.
- When digging, ash or granular insecticides can be added to the soil to kill wintering insects.
- Order and cleanliness must be maintained not only inside the greenhouse, but also throughout the site, since the ants that have settled in the garden can easily get into the greenhouse by digging an underground tunnel.
Conclusion
Many pests enjoy greenhouse comfort, and garden ants are no exception. In addition, heat and high humidity are the most favorable environment for the development and reproduction of aphids, and this can be considered a huge plus for the ant family.
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