Sticky bands for the tree trunks

tomtom · Post: # 28602Post **tomtom** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 7:03 pm

Can anyone recommend what I can use to stop ants and other nasties climbing up the trunks my fruit trees. I found some sticky bands in the gardening centre but they're hellishly expensive and I have dozens of trees...
any suggestions / alternatives appreciated,
Tom

Hillbilly · Post: # 28618Post **Hillbilly** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:12 pm

Yes, anything sticky will do. We use molasses. Paint it on over a fairly large area and the little blighters are stuck. Get the stuff from your supermarket/local shoppe or you could try using the cattle stuff which might be cheaper in the long run if you have a fair few.

NancyAnne · Post: # 29321Post **NancyAnne** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 1:55 am

The kids and I did an experiment with chalk and ants. The ants did not like to cross a chalk line. Try chalking a band about 2-3 inches wide around the trunk and see if they cross it. Please let me know if it works.

Shirley · Post: # 29375Post **Shirley** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 5:00 pm

That sounds like a fun and easy thing to do. Haven't got that many up here although we have noticed a few HUGE ones over the last few days. If they start to become a problem I'll get the chalk out and experiment.