"Pam Moore" wrote in message
...
snip

Thanks Mike. I also would use Nippon without a qualm, but you don't
know my friend!
I have told her I think that I think she should cut off a few branches
and root them in a new pot and somehow scrap the tree, soil, ants and
all.

Pam in Bristol

No point Pam. More ants will colonise the new set up, that why they are
there now, because the environment of the pot is suited to them. They are in
pretty much all my large pots including one with a small maple in in. Once
ina while I use 'harmless' water to flood them out or minimise their
presence if they seem too prevalent, you do need to make sure the pot has
good drainage though since you dont want the roots sitting in water
indefinitely. If its possible to completely fill the pot with water for
quite a few hours by temporarily blocking the drainage holes that might also
work (drowning them, so much for harmless water :-)..but eventually a new
queen ant will arrive and a new colony will arise.

--
Tumbleweed

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