Spring For A Day

We have been having a heat wave of sorts here in North Carolina.  Many days with temps in the 90's.  It is too soon for this.  But today, we've had Spring again, for today anyway.  I busied my kiddos and a helper with outdoor chores like weedeating, moving my herb cart, and more; only to be waylaid by a large colony of ants.  I am just thankful they aren't fire ants!

The herb cart was providing protection for the ant colony, so they swarmed in crazy motion once it was moved.  And once the cart was in its new location, more ants were discovered on the cart's bottom shelf.  I found this out the hard way - even non-fire ants can bite!  So, the cart has been sprayed with water in an aggressive fashion and left in the yard to dry in the sun.  

Ants were also noted on the concrete squares when my daughter moved the planter containing oregano.  I sprayed the ants with insecticidal soap and hope it will shoo them away.  Once the newest planter has some holes drilled in the bottom, I can replant the sage.  It is in great need of a larger space.  A few more tasks like bringing the cart back in from the yard and the herb garden will be functional again.

Ants!

As Spring burst out all over last week, the ants reappeared. Little black ants in my kitchen and fire ants in my yard. All up from their winter sleep, set to do their antly jobs.

Oh, how they annoy me and cause me to step carefully in my yard. But they can also fascinate me, how they keep working and working, even changing strategies as needed. Amazing. Still, I don't want them crawling all over my kitchen or making a mine field in my yard.