posted 2 weeks ago
I have heard local organic/permie figures talk about ant control using the mold that grows on oranges.
It so happens that I have some leafcutter ants in my garden that are eating only my beloved winged beans (not cool, ants: last year wasn't warm enough for the winged beans and I really want them this year).
I also have a husband who eats 3+ oranges every day, so I buy large quantities and there's usually a moldy one or two.
The general line is to take a moldy orange or two and blend it in a blender with a liter of water.
Leave that ferment for a few days, then mix it with rice grits (used to make porridge here) and let it dry in the sun, this can then be stored and used over time.
I missed the part about the fermentation, and had no rice grits so used cornmeal instead (which I do have and the ants tend to enjoy). I mixed it up with about half a kg of cornmeal, it is currently a paste type situation and is out on the back porch drying out to crumble up and store.
Once it's dry, the idea is to put it near the plants and the ants carry it back to their home, where it outcompetes the fungus that grows on their cut leaves and forms their main food source. The suggestion is to usually put it in a bamboo tube so it stays dry, i don't have any bamboo so we'll just sprinkle it around the base of the plants during dry spells.
I will report back as the process continues.
Anyone else try this?
