I am having a problem with ants in a flower bed that I mulched with spruce chips from a logging site. I have put some diatomaceous earth on it and tried drops of Raid. What should I do?
?Gabriella Noullett, Peace River, AB

Dear Gabriella,
Ants are crucial for the survival of the planet but NIMFB (Not In My Flower Bed). Try this solution from my book My Favorite Garden Tips (2003). Blend orange peel and a little juice to make a thick paste. Smear it over the ant hills, making sure some goes into the holes. Apparently, oranges give off a gas the ants hate. Or plant tansy and sprinkle the dried flowers around. Last resort? Pour boiling water into the ant hill.

?Marjorie Harris, Editor at Large