Ants getting my canteloupes

Lindacol 7/24/2011, 1:12 am

Ants have gotten my 5 largest canteloupes. I found small holes in them with ants crawling all over them. Cinnamon & DE are not affecting them:(

I've harvested one maybe a little early and will be trying it tomorrow.

Any ideas on protesting the rest from the ants?

shannon1 7/24/2011, 2:00 am

Bummer, You might try orange oil I know others have had success with it. You can get it at home depot or some other big box store. I don't think the ants are making the holes just taking advantage of them so look for hole makers too.

Chopper 7/24/2011, 6:57 am

I am OK with nature having its way until it does something like that. Ants are insidious little creatures.

So, were it I, and because cantaloupe have a nice, thick skin, I would poison them with either a spray or the little traps. Don't fool around unless you are OK losing your crop.

AprilakaCCIL 7/24/2011, 10:22 am

Dealing with ants here tooo...I feel your pain. pale

shannon1 7/25/2011, 12:45 am

Another way to prevent damage to your melons without using poisons is to make a barrier against them for each melon. I use superlight insect barrier some folks use tule and others use old nylons. Just make a big enough bag and sew a draw string around the top and tie one on each melon. That will keep all the pests off and stop the damage to your crop.

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Ants getting my canteloupes

Ants getting my canteloupes

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