[zzyzx]

I live in Southern California, and have just started feeding a newly installed hive. There are ants all over my entrance feeder. (The small black little bastards that invade my pantry every Summer) Should I worry, or will the girls take care of them? I have used diatomatious earth in my garden, with good success. Is it safe to spread around my hive stand?

 

[Fuzzy]

Track the ants back to their nest entrance and poison it with some Ortho home defense. Just pour it in the entrance holes.

 

[zzyzx]

I am an urban beekeeper with a jungle of a backyard..err, I mean anthill. I could never eliminate my ants. Thanks though.

 

[ccar2000]

I have used the diatomaceous earth with good success in the garden, chicken coop and around the hives works with all kinds of ants, red, black, red and black small and large. I just pour it around the blocks holding my hives. No problem.

 

[wolfpenfarm]

I live in Southern California, and have just started feeding a newly installed hive. There are ants all over my entrance feeder. (The small black little bastards that invade my pantry every Summer) Should I worry, or will the girls take care of them? I have used diatomatious earth in my garden, with good success. Is it safe to spread around my hive stand?

You know, i found that they co-exist. There is a benefit of the ants being in there and that is Ants produce formic acid which kills mites. Just a thought you know.

 

[honeydreams]

white ash sprinkled around the hives stops them some times.

 

[bigbore]

if your hive is on a stand of some kind at least 12 inches off the ground. spray the bottom 4-6 inches with pine-sol. ants won't cross it, and if you keep it that 6 in. from the hive it won't hurt the bees.

 

[Merlyn Votaw]

Put 1 or 2 leaves of spearmont or peppermint on top of your hive frames.Ants will be gone next day

 

[papamoose]

You can also try ground cinnamon around the base of the hive. You have to replace after every rain, but it does keep them away.

 

[BEES4U]

Welcomed to southern California. The Argentine ant capital of the world.
Seek and destroy the nesting sites!
You can try all the organic control methods and after you have lost enought hives, including boomers, you will start using chemicals.
Bayer has an excellent product on the market for ants and other problem pests. It;s a white granular material. Follow the directions and water it into the soil.
You will find that the ants like to nest where thers a higher elevation in your yard.
Water down your area or go out after a good rain and destroy their nests.
You will see them boil up out of the ground and carry their white pre adults in the mandibles.
They like to nest under wood scraps in and around foundation.
I have seen them invade a home right after a good rain or after the garden was watered.
What's interesting is that genetically the ones in europe, other places and here are the same.

Good Luck and do not let your guard down. Just as you think your hives are clear and free they will be invaded by another ant nest that moved into your area.

Ernie