It's funny that when I was a kid I had many ant farms, in fact the basement of our house was largely an ant zoo. I tried for years to get a leaf cutter ant colony to be successful. Now, in Mexico I mostly want to burn them with fire!
They do like the Hibiscus which in Yucatan we call Tulipanes (translated as tulips) not to be confused with Tulipanes Hollandesas (actual Tulips). When we first came to Mexico we had a vibrant, beautiful hibiscus full of life and the next morning a bunch of bare sticks. It was a potted plant so we moved it once a week to keep the ants confused which worked as we didn't know what else to do.
Now that we've been here for quite some time we're a bit better at managing our environment. Abamectina (Trompa) does work but it's a maintenance thing, not a one-and-done thing. Buy a big bag and just leave it around your yard every week or two forever. It keeps them at bay. We have hibiscus plants sitting right in the middle of the patio that never get touched anymore. Also have plenty of other plants that they like helps. We have a couple of vines that are massive covering our back wall and they chomp away on them forever and the vines are so massive they just replenish. We also have quite a few maracuya but oddly they've never cared about them. The maracuya when they're young get caterpillars but by the time they're about 3-4 meters long the caterpillars disappear and we never see them again until we start a new plant.
The leaf cutter ants are slightly adorable though. We often get into the pool at night and the long line of leaf cutters walking the perimeter with leaves in their jaws look like a million little sailboats out to sea. They remind me to cherish every moment of life... and put out more Trompa. ;-)
Fascinating! I first saw leaf-cutters in Costa Rica. I had no idea how lucky I am that I live in a place without the little buggers. All the best in your pest control.
Oh ants, the bane of my life. And yes the leaf cutters (here in Morelos we call them cuatalatas) are busy out in the street, in my garden, all over the place. I pride myself on not using chemicals or toxins in my garden but the cuatalatas leave me no option other than to buy a powder which is horrible but necessary. They eat crottos, bougainvillea, trees, even water lilies!
I wish you well, they love hibiscus which is why I don't have any, so good luck!
How Awesome! I've always wanted to explore the east coast of Mexico, Quintana Roo, and Belize. Please let me know if yall find any burner friends beaches
It's funny that when I was a kid I had many ant farms, in fact the basement of our house was largely an ant zoo. I tried for years to get a leaf cutter ant colony to be successful. Now, in Mexico I mostly want to burn them with fire!
They do like the Hibiscus which in Yucatan we call Tulipanes (translated as tulips) not to be confused with Tulipanes Hollandesas (actual Tulips). When we first came to Mexico we had a vibrant, beautiful hibiscus full of life and the next morning a bunch of bare sticks. It was a potted plant so we moved it once a week to keep the ants confused which worked as we didn't know what else to do.
Now that we've been here for quite some time we're a bit better at managing our environment. Abamectina (Trompa) does work but it's a maintenance thing, not a one-and-done thing. Buy a big bag and just leave it around your yard every week or two forever. It keeps them at bay. We have hibiscus plants sitting right in the middle of the patio that never get touched anymore. Also have plenty of other plants that they like helps. We have a couple of vines that are massive covering our back wall and they chomp away on them forever and the vines are so massive they just replenish. We also have quite a few maracuya but oddly they've never cared about them. The maracuya when they're young get caterpillars but by the time they're about 3-4 meters long the caterpillars disappear and we never see them again until we start a new plant.
The leaf cutter ants are slightly adorable though. We often get into the pool at night and the long line of leaf cutters walking the perimeter with leaves in their jaws look like a million little sailboats out to sea. They remind me to cherish every moment of life... and put out more Trompa. ;-)
Thank you- it’s nice to know we’re not alone! I guess I will order some more Trompa then. It does seem to work.
Fascinating! I first saw leaf-cutters in Costa Rica. I had no idea how lucky I am that I live in a place without the little buggers. All the best in your pest control.
Yes, a way of life in MX... Ants!!
Oh ants, the bane of my life. And yes the leaf cutters (here in Morelos we call them cuatalatas) are busy out in the street, in my garden, all over the place. I pride myself on not using chemicals or toxins in my garden but the cuatalatas leave me no option other than to buy a powder which is horrible but necessary. They eat crottos, bougainvillea, trees, even water lilies!
I wish you well, they love hibiscus which is why I don't have any, so good luck!
How Awesome! I've always wanted to explore the east coast of Mexico, Quintana Roo, and Belize. Please let me know if yall find any burner friends beaches
I admire your tenacity! Growing food is not easy.