Help ! Ants in my boxwood !

Hi,

I started working on my boxwood yesterday and noticed some ants crawling over the pot. When I lifted the tree out of the pot I saw many more, ans some were carrying eggs around. Guess they build a nest in my pot. I submerged it for 30 minutes but I guess the little critters can hold their breath for a long time.... Does anyone have good advice on how to get rid of them

regards, René

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TreeBay

Hi René,

If you've repotted boxwood before, you've probably seen the thick, fibrous, matted structure that makes up the root system. *I suspect that the ants have found it too, and have created their underground home amongst the fibers. *They probably do a good job of trapping air too.

Why not try submersing it overnight? *Shouldn't do any harm, and a drop of dishwashing soap will improve its ability to wet.

Rinse thoroughly afterward.

Regards,

Matt

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denny

matts idea worked for me,only then i had to change the location because the ants came back.

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Denny
Still Growing in zone 9
So.Cal.

bonsaial1

Try some sevin crystals around the pot on the bench that should move them someplace else.

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Experience is fundamental

Hi all,

I have put the boxwood in bucket filled with water, and will take it out this afternoon. It has been "head under" for two days then. We'll see if the ants have survived. I will look for another place to put it. Thanks for your replies.

regards, René

Hi All,

Removed the boxwood from the water friday. Figured the ants were gone but a day later saw a few carrying egges around (grrrrrrrr...). So I decided to take it out of the pot and remove all earth from the rootball. Tried to disturbe the roots as little as possible. Removed all the ants and eggs I could find. Repotted the plant with fresh soil. Hope for the best, we'll see....

rgds, René