Ant Problem

by Jacki Rich
(Amherst Twp., Ohio)

I have a terrible problem with ants eating the baby Monarchs shortly after they hatch on the Milkweed leaves. Is there anything I can put on the ground to kill the ants, yet not harm the butterflies, eggs or cats.?

Karen says:
I wouldn't put any ant killer near the milkweed plant. Why not take the eggs or small caterpillars inside and raise them. You will be saving some Monarch Butterflies :)

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Ant Attack!!
by: Erykah Raquel

I've also had a similar problem with ants attacking my cats regardless of their size; they've even been successful in ganging up on the larger cats & killing them when I'm not there to rescue them.

Have you been successful in rearing cats in an indoor cage even with live milkweed plants? I assumed that it would cause my milkweed plants to die off quickly. Any advice?

Karen says:
I have reared many cats indoors successfully. I put stems of freshly cut milkweed in narrow vases. When they begin to wilt I replace them with fresh stems. I have used swamp milkweed, tropical milkweed and common milkweed stems. Hope this helps.
Ant Problem
by: Jacki Rich

I do raise the Monarch eggs and cats. But because the ants get to some of them before I do, I get very frustrated with those pesky ants!

Karen says:
Glad to hear you have been raising Monarchs. It is amazing how many eggs and cats never make it through the life cycle.

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