Page 1 of 1

meadow sowing....problem with ants!

Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:41 am
by safronsue
I have 100m sq of old vineyard which i tried to broadcast seed last year but the darn ants pinched most of it and anyway i hadn't prepared the ground thoroughly, so no great shakes. This year i have my mind set on a wild flower and grass meadow to encourage insects. I plan to clear the area thoroughly with glyphosate for speed and rotivate and really get on top of the perennial weeds then sow the meadow in April. What to do about the ants?? Don't want to buy extra seed to feed the ants or pesticide. I thought about throwing down sugar to feed the ants :? hoping the ants would prefer sugar to seed. any other suggestions?

Re: meadow sowing....problem with ants!

Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 9:02 am
by bill1953
I have done this! I put a 2lb bag of sugar down, split it open in a place where the rain couldn't get to it and laid a trail to where the ant were causing most trouble. Every available ant was directed onto the sugar and it kept them busy for weeks.

Re: meadow sowing....problem with ants!

Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 11:56 am
by safronsue
ha, method to my madness! thanks bill

Re: meadow sowing....problem with ants!

Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 12:14 pm
by bill1953
Tried it with honey too but they get a bit drunk and fall in it! A grain of sugar is a much better proposition to an ant than a boring old seed!