We're number one! We're number one! There is joy in antville today. Ants are now the number one urban pest, having beat out cockroaches for the honor. However, those aren't foam fingers the ants are carrying but the crumbs from your midnight raid on the cherry pie. What was last night's cast off is now a feast for a family of ants.

Damage from ants varies. Most indoor ants are primarily a nuisance and cause little damage. Carpenter ants can weaken wood in structures. However, unlike termites, ants nest in wood but do not eat wood. Generally, there are no disease problems associated with ants.

Ants have a wide range of nesting habits and food preferences. Proper identification is important in determining control measures. Some ants build nests in soil producing characteristic mounds while others nest in homes behind moldings, baseboards, countertops, and similar places. Still others like carpenter ants nest in decaying or moisture damaged wood.

Ants feed on a variety of foods including starches, meats, fats and sweets. That's why they hang out in the kitchen with us.

Not all ants found outdoors become pests. Ants are important in aerating the soil, controlling pests and even in seed dispersal of many wildflowers. Ant colonies in lawn areas generally do not require control.

A common indoor ant is the odorous house ant. It gets its name from the unpleasant smell it releases when it's crushed. Odorous house ants are brown to dark brown. They are particularly small with the workers about one tenth of an inch long. They like to eat sweets and fatty foods. No wonder they like hanging with us. They nest in soil under stones, boards, patio blocks and nearly any other object laying on the ground. They can nest in homes in wall voids, under floors and even in potted plants. Odorous house ants do not cause structural damage to buildings.

Spraying a pesticide indoors on the occasional worker ant foraging for food is only temporary and has little if any impact on the nest. A quick spray of soapy water can be used to eliminate the wandering foragers. The nest should be found and treated for long-term ant control. Sometimes the nest becomes obvious by following the ants. Ants usually take regular routes to and from their nest to their food by establishing a chemical scent trail. Instead of leaving breadcrumbs to find their way back, they leave a smell to find their way back to the breadcrumbs. First step in ant control is good sanitation, which means no dirty dishes in the sink and wiping counters regularly. Caulk cracks and crevices in house foundation. Keep foods in tightly sealed containers. Glass jars should have rubber gaskets.

Commercial baits can be effective on some ant species. However, in order for the baits to work, there must not be any other food sources available. Do not set baits where small children or pets can reach them. A mixture of boric acid and honey or syrup is also an attractive ant bait. When using any pesticide, be sure to read and follow all label directions.

To control odorous house ants check for outdoor nests especially under stones, firewood, or bricks. Check indoors in the potted plant you rarely water.

If nests are not located, your best bet for long-term control is to call a local professional pest control company. They can use insect growth regulators that only affect insects. The chemicals basically keep the ants from growing up. In addition, professionals are generally more experienced at finding the ant nest.

For more information on identifying ants and their proper control measures, contact U of I Extension at 217-333-7672 for the brochure entitled "What to do about household ants."

- Sandra Mason

We came upon this recently and were told that the tomato yield is wonderful. Don't know if it really works or not – anyone out there willing to try it?

Materials:

• 16 running ft. of 4 ft. wire fencing.
• 16 running ft. of 2 ft. wide aluminum or plastic screening material
• 6 – 8, 4 or 5 ft. fence posts – metal two by fours or any available material
• peat moss
• RAW manure
• soil or sand

1. Dig out a six foot diameter circle.
2. Plant the fence posts in a five foot circle within the six foot circle.
3. Attach the fencing to the inside of the fence posts.
4. String the screening material along the inside of the base of the fencing.
5. Spread a three inch layer of peat moss inside the circle.
6. Spread a two inch layer of RAW manure on top of the peat moss.
7. Spread a two inch layer of dirt or sand on top of the manure.
8. Repeat the layer of peat moss.
9. Plant the tomatoes 9 or 10 inches apart around the outside of the circle.
10. As the plants grow, the fencing can be used for support.
11. To water, place a sprinkler (on low) inside the ring to allow the water to flush the nutrients out to the plants.

There was a large attendance at the March 2 Unclub luncheon. A number of us brought our seeds and extra catalogs and passed them around for everyone to share. Theresa made an announcement of upcoming events that we can all participate in. They will be in this newsletter.

The next Unclub meeting will be on a hopefully sunny and warm April 6, Wednesday. It will be held at The Egg Factory at 12 noon. I look forward to hearing from you.

- Carol Bean

Helpful Hints for the Notoriously Cheap

Dear Frugal Gardener,

Here's one for your Who-Woulda-Thunk-It file! While I was dusting my parrots and guinea pigs for mites, I happened to notice the one and only ingredient in this avian dust. It was "Pure Diatomaceous Earth!" Wow! Who woulda thunk it?

I was told to dust their food, toys and cages, too, every few days for two weeks to kill successive mite generations, and it worked. The man at the pet store said that the fine dust coats the mites' bodies and they suffocate or something.

- $10/oz.= Not Very Thrifty

Dear Not Thrifty,

Wow! I shall start a Who-Woulda-Thunk-It file immediately! Considering how sensitive exotic birds are to chemicals, this must be a gentle and safe way to get rid of the mites. It was safe enough for birds and small mammals to breathe and ingest, but not safe for the mites. Even though these are the blood-loving mites and not the plant-loving ones, I cannot shed a tear for any dead mite. You can probably find a better price, though, for pure diatomaceous earth through gardening sources. Then you'd be a "mite" thriftier!

- FG

Most people slow down when they retire. Phil Hiller seems to have speeded up.

"As soon as I retired, I went to join a project that was studying dolphins in Spain," Hiller reports. That was nearly four years ago. Since then, Hiller has taken several other trips with Earthwatch, an institute that promotes scientific research and education in the field. He has studied cheetahs in Namibia, koalas in Australia and sea turtles in Costa Rica.

Hiller also spends his leisure time ushering at the Lyric Opera, teaching third grade minority students through Evanston Township High School's Project Excite and volunteering at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Three years ago, Hiller became a Master Gardener.

Concern for the environment and interest in gardening are natural follow-ups to Hiller's 40-year career as a high school biology teacher. The Evanston resident spent the last 32 of those years at Evanston Township High School. Prior to that, Hiller's teaching assignments included a two-year stint in the Peace Corps and three years at a school in Athens, Greece.

Hiller calls gardening an outgrowth of his role as a biology teacher "because you teach kids about working with plants." But his interest in gardening started when Hiller was a child. "I used to take grapefruit and grow the seeds," he recalls with a laugh. "I'm sure they didn't live very long."

Gardening fascinates Hiller because "I love to be outdoors," he says. "I think it's a creative process to try to get some interesting things growing. I grow mainly decorative plants but I play around a lot in terms of the various kinds of settings and working with different plants to see how they're going to turn out. There are a lot of unknowns and that makes it interesting."

Hiller handles all the gardening chores at home. His wife Barbara enjoys viewing the result but is not interested in planting. The couple has four grown children, and four grandchildren–with a fifth due in May.

Hiller is currently on a forced hiatus from gardening. Diagnosed with leukemia last August, he has been undergoing chemotherapy ever since. In January, he had a stem cell transplant from his sister. As he recovers, Hiller has to avoid mold and germs because of his weakened immune system.

His doctor tells Hiller that he should be back to his garden in a few months. It serves as both a place for experimenting with plants and for quiet respite. "I've got a little water pond that I put in the back," he says. "And I created a little hidden area where I can just go and sit."

Even though he can't dig in these days, Hiller is still keeping his hand in gardening. He is co-author of a weekly "Ask a Master Gardener" column for the Daily Herald.

Hiller suggested the column idea to the newspaper two years ago. When he got the go-ahead, Hiller enlisted the help of Master Gardeners Donna Siemro and Wally Schmidtke to answer questions from readers. Gil Solarz joined the column crew a year ago.

Soon Hiller will be back doing all the other things that he enjoys about being a Master Gardener, including staffing the help line. "There's so much I don't know," he admits. "But I've found, I can always say to people, 'I'll call you back in 15 minutes and give you an answer.' People are very satisfied with that."

The lifelong educator says that as a Master Gardener, "You're always learning."

- Myrna Petlicki

Plant lettuce ('Black-seeded Simpson' or 'Red Sails') as temporary living mulch, not to mention a great salad. Plant seeds around newly emerging bulbs and perennials. Harvest when leaves are a few inches long.

Plant broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, potatoes, cauliflower, asparagus, beets, carrots, lettuce, mustard greens, onions, peas, rhubarb, spinach, parsley and turnips.

Divide hosta and other summer-and fall-blooming perennials.
Remove mulches from strawberries, bulbs and perennials. Keep mulch handy in case of predicted cold temperatures.

- Ron Wolford

The deadline date for ordering Master Gardening apparel is April 15, 2005. Hurry and order now!

Expanded phone hours begin April 1 at Friendship Park. Please call 847-298-3502 to sign up with a Master Gardener on duty, or drop in and sign up for a slot on the phone duty schedules. Phone volunteers are also needed at the Rolling Meadows Master Gardener Office. Please call 847-818-2901 or stop by to sign up.

Gardenfest
April 16
McHenry Community College
Crystal Lake, IL
A full day of great topics and speakers. Sponsored by the McHenry County Master Gardeners. 815-338-3737.

Earth Day Fair
April 16; 1 - 4 pm
River Trails Park District
1500 Euclid Avenue " Mt. Prospect
Master Gardeners are needed for the fair to staff a table, distribute brochures from the Master Gardener Program, and disburse garden information.
To volunteer, please call Eileen Witt or Theresa Jones at the Master Gardener Office, 847-818-2901.

Garden Days Fair at Triton College
April 23; 9 am- 4 pm
Triton College - Robert Collins Center
2000 Fifth Avenue " River Grove
Thanks to all the Master Gardener volunteers who have already signed up for this event. If you have not volunteered, but would like to attend, please fill out the form that you recently received in the mail and return along with your $10.00 (non-refundable) fee before April 8. Co-sponsored by the University of Illinois Extension and Triton Horticulture Club.

Annual Mother's Day Plant Sale
May 8; 11 am- 3 pm
Friendship Park Conservatory
Sale includes plants, flowers and dahlias.

Upcoming Presentations at Arlington Heights Memorial Library
April 4; 7 pm - Design Basics
May 10; 7 pm - Flower Power
June 14; 7 pm - Worms Are Cool
Above presentations by Chicago Botanic Garden Master Gardeners, University of Illinois Extension – all will qualify for continuing education hours. Contact Theresa Jones at 847-818-2901 or the Program Department at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library at 847-392-0100 to sign up.

Telenet Series
For those of you who haven't already signed up for these upcoming Telenets at our Wall Street Office, and would like to, please call Serita at 847-437-6449.

Spring Wildflowers
April 19; 1 pm
Presenter – Barb Bates

Ornamental Vines for the Home Landscape
May 3; 1 pm
Presenter – Greg Stack