Black Ants?

[vikingsnail]

Hi So we've got a usual summer problem of ants getting everywhere! They found a way in to the kitchen and we dealt with them, but now they've found a way in to our front room where the snails are kept, and until we've found the source there's not alot we can do about them.
This morning, there were absoloutely loads in the tank - I guess they were attracted to the food (the mango in particular). I'm going to clean them out and move them upstairs for the time being, but I was wondering are black ants harmful to my snails?

Thanks!

[lee2211]

I don't think so.
I could have look around for you.
But my garden snails have had some in their tank before, it didn't seem to bother them too much.
Just becareful when you take the snails upstairs you don't take any ants with you.

Good luck

[vikingsnail]

Thanks Well, they both seem fine after spending a night with them last night!
Yeah, even though I cleaned them out with totally new soil and moss both nuked in the microwave I've spotted an ant up there already! But 1 ant I can deal with, aslong as there's not as many as this morning!

[coyote]

Ants follow scent trails, so be sure to wash with soap and water the areas where you've seen them traveling, including all around the outside of the tank. That will make it difficult if not impossible for more ants to follow.

Some people claim sprinkling cinnamon will deter ants, but others say it didn't work (I never had any success with cinnamon). But since it's non-toxic it might be worth trying.

[aerliss]

There's a British plant called Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) that will deter ants (spent hours as a child carolling ants into pennyroyal pens... they HATE the stuff). Planting some around the house will help keep them out. However I don't know whether it's harmful to snails so I wouldn't suggest putting it in the tank).

[lee2211]

Thanks for that.
We're having an ant problem right now, so if we plant some around the front garden and have some in pots that should keep them away.
A great tip