Hendrix, Taylor J. on sun 10 nov 02
Sorry Janet. My post must have been a bit fuddled. I was quite serious =
about moving the pile NOT setting fire to it. As far as the water-based =
remedies, they should take care of the problem so it doesn't happen next =
time. I doubt a gallon of water is going to ruin two cords of wood.
Everyone, please think before you pour ANYTHING like gasoline, kerosene, =
motor oil old glaze slurry etc. onto the ground. We have to live here =
too. When the ants are gone WE will have to breath the residual vapors =
and drink the water contaminated with the runoff. No need to destroy =
our living space because we can't take the time to solve the problem =
with minimal environmental impact.
Honestly folks, fire ants aren't going to jump 10 feet and bite you on =
the neck. If you are careful (and watchful), you can relocate that wood =
pile or brick pile or garden hose without gettin all bit up as my pappy =
used to say. Wear gloves and knock them off if you get any hangers on. =
Work swiftly then let everything be for about 30 minutes. When they =
have settled back down, dose 'em with 'The Dirt Doctor', Howard =
Garrett's ant drench. If you want fast and simple like I know you do, =
the suggestions for boiling water and dish washing soap were good too. =
Boil about a gallon of water, drop in a few drops of degradable dish =
washing soap and hit the mound as soon as possible. Get a stick or bar =
to break the ground. Got to get that hot water to the little darlings =
while it's still HOT. Good night, anties.
This recipe is from _Texas Organic Gardening_ by Howard Garrett. Great =
book.
H. Garrett's ant drench
1 cup of Garrett Juice=20
(you can also buy the above in TX=20
ready made but follow directions
on container)
1 cup citrus oil
add water to make one gallon of drench.
Homemade Garrett Juice
1/2 cup compost tea
1 tbls seaweed
1 tbls molasses
1 tbls apple cider vinegar
Taylor in Waco, where he realizes this is all a bit late now anyway, =
but...
-----Original Message-----
From: Janet Kaiser [mailto:janet@THE-COA.ORG.UK]
Sent: Saturday, November 09, 2002 6:45 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Re: Fire ants in the wood pile!
Poor Merrie B... spent a lot of money, time and energy splitting X cords =
of
oak (a very HARD wood) and drying it ready to fire really soon, only to =
be
told to set fire to the lot or douse it with water-based mixtures!! Ye
gods, people! PLEASE read, inwardly digest and think before answering
individual posts... Merrie needs help for this particular situation NOW,
not a general solution or long-term cure...
Sorry, Merrie, but I (thankfully) have no knowledge of fire ants and =
their
habits, but I do know that ordinary ants (and other insects) will avoid =
and
run away from paraffin, or kerosene as you call it in the US. It =
evaporates
pretty quickly (within hours), so it will not be dangerous or add an
unexpected boost to your firing as long as you spray it on the wood WELL =
IN
ADVANCE. The usual warnings: stand up-wind, don't have any naked flames,
children or pets around and keep well away for a couple of hours after
spaying. Only use kerosene NOT gasoline (petrol) which contains some =
pretty
bad "nasties" which no one but NO ONE should be exposed to, whiff or
inhale.
If the dry grits solve the problem (exploding ants!? gruesome!) in the
short-term fine... But if you do not have time to get rid of the =
critters
safely before firing, perhaps you know a beekeeper who could lend you =
one
of those smoker thingies? That would maybe anaesthatise the little =
buggers
long enough to handle the wood without getting bitten or stung?
I hope you have good gauntlet gloves to which you can maybe add an
elasticated band around the wrist over a long sleeved shirt, so that any
surviving and probably mad-as-hell beasties cannot get at you? Also long
pants tucked into socks and boots...?
Trusting you manage a pain-free stoke and wishing you a successful
firing...
Sincerely
Janet Kaiser
The Chapel of Art * Capel Celfyddyd
8 Marine Crescent, Criccieth LL52 0EA, Wales, UK
Tel: 01766-523570 URL: http://www.the-coa.org.uk
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