DESTRUCTION OF ANT-NESTS IN BOWLING-GREENS.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 54, Issue 4, 20 April 1937, Page 237

DESTRUCTION OF ANT-NESTS IN BOWLING-GREENS.

Ants are common in soil throughout the Dominion, and are quite frequently found in lawns. The treatment recommended is the use of carbon disulphide or of calcium cyanide in the dust form. To apply carbon disulphide,, punch holes in the soil about the nest to a depth of 8 in. to 12 in., depending on the size of the nest. Into each of these holes pour about one tablespoonful of carbon disulphide and cover the top of the hole with moist earth. It is a, good plan to cover the top of the treated nest with wet sacking. It must be remembered that carbon disulphide is poisonous and inflammable, and the fumes must not be breathed or a light of any kind allowed near : even smoking must not be allowed near the scene of operations. Calcium cyanide, in the .dust form, may also be used • for destroying ant-nests. This is best applied to holes made in the soil in and around, the nest. Several holes should be made 2 in. or 3 in. apart. The cyanideshould be applied with a funnel, a teaspoonful to a hole, putting it only, in the bottom of- the holes. Fill the holes with earth immediately after application of the cyanide,, which, if scattered over the surface of the ground, is likely to kill the grass or other plants. Calcium cyanide and the gas from it are very poisonous, and care must be used in handling it. '

Horticulture Division

In general, New Zealand farming has to face steadily increasing competition from other agricultural countries . upon our export markets. One of the most effective means of meeting this competition is improvement not only in the quality of our export products, but in the quality of all those other farm-products upon which the quality of our export products at times depends. There is scope also for improvement in the handling of our products. —Annual Report, Minister of Agriculture. ■ . .