KLRU: Central Texas Gardener > Question/Plant of the Week

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Q. What can I do about fire ants?

A. Earlier in the year, you can apply beneficial nematodes. Right now, consider the Texas A&M Two-Step. First, broadcast a bait to entice foraging ants. Greenlight makes a non-toxic bait insecticide, Natural Fire Ant Killer with Conserve, that contains spinosad. Safer uses spinosad it its product, Safer Brand Fire Ant Bait.

Next, apply a drench to any remaining mounds. Consider products like Safer’s Fire Ant Killer with d-limonene or Greenlight’s Orange Guard.

Orange oil extract is a powerful insecticide. It’s also marketed in a compost tea which works very well as a fire ant mound drench.

Diatomaceous earth is an effective pest control, especially when mixed with pyrethrum.
Must be reapplied after a rain.

There is a new bait on the market, Ascend, made from mushrooms and soy oil that has been found to be effective on fire ants.

Dried molasses is a good energy source for the soil, improving microbial action. Recently it’s been discovered to be a fire ant deterrent—it doesn’t kill them, but it chases them off.

With any pesticide, please be cautious and careful. You don’t want to destroy your beneficial insects. Be cautious about killing your native ant populations, since they will help keep fire ants under control.

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Angel's Trumpet (Brugmansia)
Angel's Trumpet, known also by its proper name Brugmansia, is the perfect choice for a deck, poolside, or patio. A South American cousin of the tomato and potato, Brugmansia is a fairly dependable perennial if mulched well over winter. They reach 4-6 feet in height in one growing season. In late summer to fall, long trumpet-shaped blooms in shades of apricot, yellow or white steal the landscape show, offering a nice evening fragrance to an outdoor seating area. Plant Angel's Trumpet in a morning sun or partial shade location and mulch the roots well to help retain moisture. Fertilize every few weeks to keep them vigorous. They will die to the ground during a cold winter but with a semi- protected location and a thick layer of mulch will usually return the following spring. Angel's Trumpet also does well in a large container such as a half whiskey barrel. Read Trisha's comments on this plant here.

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It’s time to make sure those pecans and persimmons are adequately watered. Around August 1st, pecan trees start to fill the inside of the nut. Up into then, the pecan is growing in size. In August, the kernel fills. If the tree doesn’t get water at this point, you won’t have much nut meat when it comes time to harvest. So, keep the tree adequately watered to ensure a good crop for you, or at least, for the squirrels!
Persimmons, too, are ripening their fruit and need plenty of water for a good harvest in a few months.
Continue light pruning of re-blooming perennials for a new round of flowers in October.

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