Planted my first garden this year, it looks great and seems to be doing well, the only problem is ants, they are everywhere, all sizes. I am noticing them mostly around my corn and I know if I dont do something soon they will destroy everything. What can I use that works the best and fastest that I dont have to worry about hurting my veggies?

They won't hurt your plants. Just ignore them. People over-react when they see bugs. The bug killers do more harm than the bugs do, in lots of cases.

My neighbor's beautiful dog Ebony had to be put down due to cancer recently. I haven't the heart to tell them that the broadleaf plant killer they use regularly on their lawn is a suspected cancer factor, and that is why it is not approved for schoolyards and so forth.

Ants are most likely after the aphids, which do far more damage to crops than ants.

There are helpers in the garden and then there are pests. Aphids are a pest, ants are the warriors who will attack and kill those pests for you.

If there is a problem with your corn the most likely suspect is the aphid.

Ant's nests (colonies), contrary to the opinion of those who sell insecticides, helps to bring air and water down to the roots of your crops. Their tunnels act like the tunnels of earth worms, providing small openings for air and water to get down deep.

There are a few plant eating variety of ants, however in most American Gardens the common ant is after sweet juices. Even the Leaf cutter Ant which is notorious in stripping patches of jungle are not eating the leaves, they are harvesting the leaves to grow the fungi and/or feed their cattle (other insects).

Unless the corn is ripe (Not until later this year) the Ants are not interested in the corn itself. Once the Corn begins to ripen they will attack it for the sugars in the kernels. For now they are attacking the aphids which produce "Honey dew" a sweet liquid produced by aphids.

I am totally and completely against using chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. These will leach into the ground water, make its way into your food as your plants grow and pretty much kill indiscriminately, rarely, if ever, completely killing of the pests, instead killing off the helpers in the garden and letting the pests take over.

Chemical Fertilizers are like methamphetamines for humans, they give a great kick to the growth but the plants become addicted and then need their fix. A generation of Americans have created lawns which are addicts to chemicals - its a sad affair.

I would suggest looking at your crops close up, if you have an aphid problem, let the ants do what they do (harvesting the aphids).

In on some off chance the ants are doing the damage, I would mix up a bottle of Soapy water.

Ivory Soap is best. I use a grater (One specifically for the purpose) to grate the bar into small pieces, then I add hot water and shake vigorously until the soap begins to dissolve. Strain and put into a spray bottle (Save the shavings and add more water, these will dissolve in time and can be used) Dish Soap, Laundry Soap are detergents and will not work as well as bar soap.

Then liberally coat the plant with the soapy water. Insects get mired and coated with soap, since most insects breathe through their feet or through pores on their sides (None have lungs) the soap clogs these air intakes and they suffocate. Repeat daily for about a week, the number of pests will drop.

Of course as soon as you water or it rains, the soap scum will wash off. Ivory soap is purest soap, meaning it doesn't have all of the added boosters like scent and anti-bacterial and stuff (There are many good bacterias hard at work in your garden as well)

I use this method for the aphids on the roses all the time. Indeed, the aphids start on the roses and will migrate to my crops. Thus getting them while they are on the roses tends to reduce the number of invaders in the garden.

IF the ants are a problem still, then locate and dig up the nest. Take a few shovelfuls and put it in a plastic bag and either move them to a far location, or toss it, be careful not to puncture the bag. The idea is to get the queen out of the garden. Once she is gone, there are no more ants being born.

Water does not work. You can not drown an ant. They can live under water for 2 weeks.

I would strongly urge you to spend about an hour ant watching, Observe them, follow them, see what it is exactly they are doing. I'm willing to lay odds that they are attacking other pests and are helping your garden.

Cheers

David

Wonderful post Dvd.

Ants have never bothered my mature corn. Now, earwigs, on the other hand...

Wow thank you so much that was very helpful, now instead of stomping the ants when I go out to my garden I will leave them alone and let them do whatever it is that they are doing LOL. thanks again both excellent answers