Why ANTS on my Dendrobiums and Epidendrums, only?

Greetings from St. Lucie County, John. Don't know how long you've been growing, but if you haven't had ants before, as one who also grows under screen I salute you. I doubt that the soap itself has anything to do with the ants suddenly adoring your Epis and Dends.

What were you using the soap spray for? I have to assume it was for some type of critters. If so, the critters could be what the ants are after.

Big ants? Little ants? Do they run like little miniature mad people? If so, they could be Caribbean crazy ants, which used to be confined to the far western areas but which made it east after the hurricanes of '04 and '05.

Welcome to rgo, and tell us more.....

Diana

They hide, too, when they see me approaching :)

I think you're right; as I first started seeing them on the property just after the 04/05 season, but never on my orchids... or inside the house (at least not these guys).

I think I'll just start baiting (bait traps) in order to keep them under control.

Thanks...

John

How many plants are affected? Can you find a "central location"? I suspect they've made a nest in one of your pots. If so, what we do to get rid of them is soak the plant in a bucket (water higher than the top of the potting media) and drown them. But, you first have to find the pot with the nest in it ...

I agree with Diana, the soap should not be the culprit.

Thanks, all, for your help... I think I've got them knocked down and under control at this point.

John

Okay, so how did you do it?

Diana ;o)

Since the infestation wasn't all that bad... and no visible signs of any other pests in or around my pots, I mixed a 50% solution of what I use whenever I notice spider mites (Garden Safe Brand concentrate) and did a number on everything green...

Hopefully I've knocked them down somewhat... and I'll probably follow up with a bait in a few days should I notice any trails. Otherwise, I've had no problems thus far with any insects.

Thanks, again, for all your concern.

John

John, I am not familiar with the specific product you mention, so I don't know the ingredients. But in general, miticides don't do much against insects and insecticides don't work well, if at all, on mites -- and the alleged "combo" products I've found around here don't seem to do much against either of the damn pests :<(

If you find you need additional measures for the ants, an acephate chemical (sold under many brand names, Orthene, Isotox, etc.) would be my first choice. Kenni

I always thought that ants on orchids is indicative of an aphid proble mainly because the ant feed on the honeydew that is secreted by th aphids. I know you already posted that you solved the ant problem, but mayb you should also check for aphids