On 26/07/2012 08:18, Jeff Layman wrote:
On 25/07/2012 18:56, Astrog wrote:
Hi all,

I have an orange tree, in a pot grown from a pip 30 years ago. It
normally lives indoors, this is in Scotland.

However we moved house, and I put it outside for a while, it got
infested with ants. So now I cannot bring it in because the wife is not
to keen on ants in her dining room.

Any ideas on how to get rid of the ants and not kill the tree ?

Astrog


Just to add to the other comments.

Depending on how long the ants have been in the pot, they could have
excavated a lot of the compost to build a nest. If a lot of it has gone,
your orange tree will definitely suffer, as it will tend to dry out very
easily. It would be best to get the tree out of the pot to check
(whether you do this before or after killing the ants is up to you...).

When the ants have been dealt with, put a layer of weedproof membrane
over the pot holes before you refill with compost. This is because ants
enter a pot through the base, and excavate the compost through the base.
The weedproof membrane will stop this happening, whilst still allowing
water to drain through.

If you don't want to bother doing this, you can dissuade the ants
temporarily by putting an insecticidal powder under the pot.

Thank you all for your useful and informative answers.

The poster who said it had scale on it was correct, had a problem with
this for the past couple of years. I plan to repot (plus membrane) and
get rid of all the compost around the roots, including the nest. I have
already sprayed it for scale, and will give it a few days then repot.

Only then will the wife let it across the door !

Astrog