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Post by James on Jun 24, 2015 1:31:04 GMT -5
I had some ants really bothering a small tree, so I took some masking tape and wrapped the tree with the sticky side outward. Kinda made it tough going for the ants.
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Post by Mumsey on Jun 24, 2015 3:27:06 GMT -5
Great idea. Looks like the boxelder bug got stuck too!
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Post by lilolpeapicker on Jun 24, 2015 5:36:12 GMT -5
Stopped them in their tracks! It's amazing some got across much of it before they stuck. Gives me the creepies though to see that many bugs at once.
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Post by brownrexx on Jun 24, 2015 7:37:14 GMT -5
Lots better than using poisons!
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Post by desertwoman on Jun 24, 2015 9:09:19 GMT -5
That sounds like a great homemade way to control them.
There is also a product called Tanglefoot, approved for certified organic gardening...includes castor oil, vegetable waxes natural gum resins
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Post by kimmsrđź•Š on Jun 25, 2015 6:37:33 GMT -5
The ants are not the problem with the tree but may be a sign there is a problem with that tree. Rather than putting a barrier in place I would look more closely at that tree to see if I could determine why the ants are there. They are most often a symptom of a problem not the problem.
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Post by claude on Jun 25, 2015 15:28:34 GMT -5
James...I've been trying to ID that bulk red lg bug in the middle of your ant photo. Do you know what it is?
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Post by claude on Jun 25, 2015 15:29:45 GMT -5
What is a box elder, mumsey? A good guy or a bad guy? from what I read, they don't harm plants.
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Post by lilolpeapicker on Jun 25, 2015 15:59:58 GMT -5
They a nuisance bug...not bad but they will overwinter in your house if they can get in. If I recall they eat decaying vegetation.
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Post by James on Jun 25, 2015 17:06:51 GMT -5
Box Elder, a tree in the Maple family. The bugs hang out in the trees, but come cold weather they tend to congregate on houses and hole up for winter. They can be a pest because of their sheer numbers and their desire to come into the house.
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Post by Mumsey on Jun 25, 2015 19:44:08 GMT -5
Yeah, they used to collect in flocks on the side of our house when it was white. Now it's ironstone gray, haven't had that problem. They do like to come in, only a nuisance by their presence. When we lived in the country we had a box elder tree. The thing was covered with box elder bugs! Quite a sight.
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Post by kimmsrđź•Š on Jun 26, 2015 6:06:42 GMT -5
Box Elder Bugs feed on seeds and the sap of Acer (Box Elder, Maple) species and Ash. Very few people are even aware of their presence during the spring, summer, and fall months but do notice them on warm winter days when they come into the house from their wintering shelter in the house sidewalls.
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Post by brownrexx on Jun 26, 2015 7:20:20 GMT -5
I don't have a problem with them. In face I hardly ever see them but Brown Marmorated Stinkbugs - now that's another matter! They absolutely LOVE to come into the house. Hubby found one in his sock drawer the other day!
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