Grower And a Shower
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An interesting find in my backyard garden.

Would you keep or kill? I can justify both actions, for the good of the garden. #Garden2023 #gardening #SouthDakota

https://youtube.com/shorts/VybyOihJu8I?feature=share
06:02 PM - May 18, 2023
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Marie Ceselski
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In response to Grower And a Shower.
If they are not carpenter ants doing property damage or ants getting into house and causing a mess, I'd leave them because they are accidental but important pollinators and eat other pests eggs. Ants being used by farmers for pest control dates back to 300 BCE.
08:40 PM - May 18, 2023
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Grower And a Shower
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In the past, I have lost tomato and pepper plants, killed by aphids, farmed by ants. The ant colony is a bit too close to both the peppers and hibiscus, aphid favs. My yard is filled with other pollinators. I also have a strong ladybug population I wouldn't mind feeding.

Decisions decisions.
In response to Marie Ceselski.
02:14 AM - May 19, 2023
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Marie Ceselski
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In response to Grower And a Shower.
The ant-aphid collaboration history definitely swings my opinion the other way now. Would definitely get rid of the ants.

Also, lucky you on the lady bugs!
09:52 AM - May 19, 2023
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Grower And a Shower
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In response to Marie Ceselski.
That balance between pest and pollinator, what to do if they are both! I have wasps that visit. They don't bother me. Unless a nest is near my house or I get stung.

I haven't put diatomaceous earth on the colony yet, going to wait and see. If I see aphids near peppers or the hibiscus though...
01:25 PM - May 19, 2023
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