[Arid_gardener] RE: Organic Matter Attracting Ants to Garden

[Carolyn Hills]

Great comments so far!

I'd like to add that (unless they are really bothering your family or pets)
ants are usually a GOOD THING in the garden. They are pollinators, and their
excavations in the garden loosen the soil and break down organic matter.
Ants also eat aphids and other garden pests. 

Since so many honeybees have mysteriously disappeared in the last year, ants
have become especially important in their pollinator role. 

They can be annoying, but every time I see an ant crawling through a flower
in my garden, I resolve to keep putting up with the occasional bite!

Carolyn Hills
Maricopa County Master Gardener Volunteer

-----Original Message-----
From: arid_gardener-bounces at CALS.arizona.edu
[mailto:arid_gardener-bounces at CALS.arizona.edu] On Behalf Of Dee
Sent: Friday, August 17, 2007 8:58 PM
To: arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu; yafadance at yahoo.com
Subject: Re: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page

   Compost works best in my book. I put it everywhere-as a side dressing, 
top dressing and dug in to the soil prior to planting. If it is throughly 
decomposed, it should not attract ants.
  Good luck & don't give up on organics.
  Deedee
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: <yafadance at yahoo.com>
  To: <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>
  Sent: Friday, August 17, 2007 9:47 AM
  Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page


  > Dianna
  > 85022
  > yafadance at yahoo.com
  >
  > I am trying to use alot of organic fertilizer, such as alfalfa pellets 
and used coffee grounds, but it seems like this is attracting alot of ants. 
I am about ready to give up on organic fertilizer due to the bug problem, 
but I'd prefer to not hurt the environment with my gardening practices. Any 
suggestions?
  > Thanks
  >
  >
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  > Arid_gardener at CALS.arizona.edu
  > http://CALS.arizona.edu/mailman2/listinfo/arid_gardener
  >


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