8 replies to this topic

[glennh2os]

While picking from my hops plant last night (in flip flops) I discovered that some fire ants had moved in at the base of one of my plants. After doing the "oh &^%&$" fire ant dance and washing the little bastards off my feet and legs, I decided that some chemical warfare was in order. Purchased the appropriate stuff today and I WILL be applying it tonight after work. My question to the group is once the poison does its work, will the hops plant suck in the poison? It's getting near the end of time to worry about picking them so it's not a huge deal. Just wondering if I should quit picking them or not.. Opinions??

[denny]

I wouldn't use any plants that had poison applied to them.

[BrewerGeorge]

I wouldn't use any plants that had poison applied to them.

Ditto.How about dosing them with CO2?

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

While picking from my hops plant last night (in flip flops) I discovered that some fire ants had moved in at the base of one of my plants. After doing the "oh &^%&$" fire ant dance and washing the little bastards off my feet and legs, I decided that some chemical warfare was in order. Purchased the appropriate stuff today and I WILL be applying it tonight after work. My question to the group is once the poison does its work, will the hops plant suck in the poison? It's getting near the end of time to worry about picking them so it's not a huge deal. Just wondering if I should quit picking them or not.. Opinions??

I'd only spray right before picking so that the hops don't have a chance to pick up any poison. Or maybe try to not disturb the ants and spray after you are done. I wouldn't want to risk consuming that stuff.

[glennh2os]

Thanks for the fast replies. Like I said I had already mostly picked them all anyway. Just had some small cones I was waiting on "ripening", but I've already gotten a good haul this year anyway so no worries. I kind of thought I'd not mess with them again after I applied the stuff, and you guys confirmed it! And George I appreciate the comment about CO2, I'm usually not so quick with poison and stuff hugely bad for mother earth. But I want these little ^&%^&%$*&$%'s to suffer.. If the mound wasn't so near the house there would be gasoline and flames involved

[RommelMagic]

I wouldn't use any plants that had poison applied to them.

Me neither. I would try to find an alternative method

[stellarbrew]

There are a few fire ant baits available, which are specifically approved for use around vegetable gardens. I'd avoid using those that aren't labeled as safe for food plots, as plants will absorb the poison through the roots.

[WallyG3]

I'd put the ant poison in the secondary so you don't blow off the aroma during primary fermentation.

[brewskee]

I found a very large patch of wild hops this year (I'm talking pounds of cones dry), only problem is most of it was twining AROUND poison ivy plants. So much for that idea. I'll have to take cuttings in the spring and replant.