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Jul 31, 2011 10:45 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Kristi
east Texas pineywoods (Zone 8a)
Herbs Region: Texas Vegetable Grower Avid Green Pages Reviewer Garden Ideas: Level 2
I've built two small Hugelkultur beds. One a pit and the other one on top of the ground. They were quite successful this dry summer so I am building another and plan more.

As you are in Texas, I would like to know how you keep the fireants out of the bed above ground? In this area, they are attracted to rotting wood, moisture, etc. I know there is no environmentally correct means of erradicating them so was curious.
Believe in yourself even when no one else will. ~ Sasquatch
Last edited by pod Jul 31, 2011 10:46 AM Icon for preview
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Jul 31, 2011 12:41 PM CST
Name: Horseshoe Griffin
Efland, NC (Zone 7a)
And in the end...a happy beginning!
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Jul 31, 2011 2:52 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Kristi
east Texas pineywoods (Zone 8a)
Herbs Region: Texas Vegetable Grower Avid Green Pages Reviewer Garden Ideas: Level 2
Hiya Shoe... nice to be greeted so sweetly. I saw that you were considering this type of gardening and I will encourage you to try a bed.

My experience this summer in the worst drought I've ever seen has convinced me. Course I'm small taters compared to you and the Dave.
Believe in yourself even when no one else will. ~ Sasquatch
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Jul 31, 2011 3:39 PM CST
Garden.org Admin
Name: Dave Whitinger
Southlake, Texas (Zone 8a)
Region: Texas Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Tomato Heads Vermiculture Garden Research Contributor
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Master Level Region: Ukraine Garden Sages
Hi Pod,

We definitely deal with fireants but they are not as big a problem in our part of Texas as they are in some other areas.

We've have a couple fireant nests in this bed we made, and we learned quickly where they are and we avoided those spots. The ants stayed in their area and we were just careful not to step in that vicinity. It seems that they didn't affect the plants so we left them alone.

I do wish we didn't have to deal with this imported curse.
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Aug 4, 2011 8:40 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Kristi
east Texas pineywoods (Zone 8a)
Herbs Region: Texas Vegetable Grower Avid Green Pages Reviewer Garden Ideas: Level 2
And I wish there were an easy, organic solution. But in my experience, I would recommend stopping them in their tracks if at all possible.

The Hügelkultur bed creates an inviting environment for fireants. They are drawn to rotting wood and moist conditions. I'd be surprised if they will remain contained in those areas for long.

Best of luck...
Believe in yourself even when no one else will. ~ Sasquatch
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Jan 26, 2012 1:17 PM CST
Name: Fuz Sanderson
Apex, NC (Zone 7b)
One method I have used successfully is to pour boiling water on the fire ant nest. This has to be done a couple of times. Best if you can get a 2-3 gallon pot poured on at once. Of course, most living plants will be damaged, however this is a non toxic solution. I've also heard of people using dish soap. Good luck and let me know how it goes!!
With learning a skill comes self confidence, and with that self confidence we become a more fully alive human being.

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Jan 26, 2012 1:24 PM CST
Garden.org Admin
Name: Dave Whitinger
Southlake, Texas (Zone 8a)
Region: Texas Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Tomato Heads Vermiculture Garden Research Contributor
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Master Level Region: Ukraine Garden Sages
Thanks for that tip, Fuz!
Avatar for Oldhomestead
Jan 31, 2012 5:59 PM CST

We used to have a lot more issues with fire ants until the laying hens discovered the mounds have larve in them. Now out in the field we come across small depressions where they used to be. The hens just scatch the heck out of the mounds and eat the larve.

Of course chickens do a number on your mulch, but when the plants get some size on them we run chickens in the beds and they take care of most of the insect pests for us.
Avatar for Alaskalady
Jun 1, 2016 4:13 AM CST

If the fire ant problem has not resolved itself yet, you might want to try diatomaceous earth (D.E.) to kill them. I like to put the D.E. in a long necked bottle and puff it into the ant entrances. Ants groom each other, so quickly spread the D.E. The D.E. has to be reapplied whenever it gets wet, but some diligence with it will wipe out the whole colony.
Avatar for Alaskalady
Jun 4, 2016 11:22 PM CST

If the fire ant problem has not resolved itself yet, you might want to try diatomaceous earth (D.E.) to kill them. I like to put the D.E. in a long necked bottle and puff it into the ant entrances. Ants groom each other, so quickly spread the D.E. The D.E. has to be reapplied whenever it gets wet, but some diligence with it will wipe out the whole colony.
Avatar for klutzy
Dec 28, 2017 8:44 AM CST
Name: Chris
Florida (Zone 9a)
DE works great on bugs, including chicken lice. Be sure to use ONLY food grade, NOT pool grade. I just moved to FL, hoping fire ants aren't here!
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Dec 29, 2017 9:10 AM CST
Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)
Garden Sages Region: Ukraine Native Plants and Wildflowers Xeriscape Organic Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
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Are you kidding me? Believe me, fire ants are here. Throughout the entire state.
I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown
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Dec 29, 2017 9:40 AM CST
Name: Daniel Erdy
Catawba SC (Zone 7b)
Pollen collector Fruit Growers Permaculture Hybridizer Plant and/or Seed Trader Organic Gardener
Daylilies Region: South Carolina Garden Ideas: Level 2 Garden Photography Herbs Region: United States of America
@klutzy , Ann is right you will have them bad in FL
🌿A weed is a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered🌿
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Dec 29, 2017 9:43 AM CST
Name: Caroline Scott
Calgary (Zone 4a)
Bulbs Winter Sowing Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Peonies Lilies Charter ATP Member
Region: Canadian Enjoys or suffers cold winters Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Garden Ideas: Master Level
Cinnamon deters ants here, but does not kill them.
I don't know if it works on your fire ants.
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Dec 29, 2017 10:00 AM CST
Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)
Garden Sages Region: Ukraine Native Plants and Wildflowers Xeriscape Organic Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Charter ATP Member Plant Identifier Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Dog Lover
The only good fire ant is a dead fire 🐜.
I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown
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