Re: Ants in my Nepenthes

From: Stefan Ploszak (imduff@hotmail.com)
Date: Thu Jan 22 1998 - 12:27:41 PST


Date: Thu, 22 Jan 1998 12:27:41 PST
From: "Stefan Ploszak" <imduff@hotmail.com>
To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com
Message-Id: <aabcdefg297$foo@default>
Subject: Re: Ants in my Nepenthes

Charles wrote:

>Ants are sometimes given a bad rap. It's true that they can carry
>aphids and scales to plants, but they are also a very good source of
>food for some CP plants like the S. Minor and Cephalotus and some
>Nephs.

 I agree that the plants can all benefit from a steady supply of ants,
but is it a good idea to have a colony of ants nesting in your pots?
Having had infestations of scale and mealy bug in the past, I'm not
about to let a potential source for the pests near any of my plants. If
left alone, these pests will quickly spread to adjacent plants and
eventually kill them. I'll go to the pet shop and buy a bunch of
crickets, instead of feeding with ants.
 I've seen your growlist Charles, you have many rare and one-of-a-kind
plants. Are you saying that if a colony of ants wanted to call one of
your pots "home," you wouldn't take exception? I still say, "prevention
is best, kill the ants!"

  All the best,
  Stefan



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