Leaf Cutting Ant Forum

In my garden I have a couple of fruit trees, that lose their leaves over winter. We spray them with pesticides once a year but have yet done so this year. If I let the fresh leaves grow without spraying them, will they be safe to feed to my soon to be attas?

And if not does anyone know of any place that sells safe plants?

Depends on the type of pesticide, if it is systemic, then no they won't have faded.

Best to gather leaves away from gardens. Noone sprays hedgerows and you can tell where people are likely to care about pests. If you have neighbours you can ask if they ever spray and then offer to keep some of their plants under control. I mainly stop on my way somewhere and grab a handful of stuff. (Actually more like a bootful).

Acromyrmexbob wrote:Best to gather leaves away from gardens. Noone sprays hedgerows and you can tell where people are likely to care about pests. If you have neighbours you can ask if they ever spray and then offer to keep some of their plants under control. I mainly stop on my way somewhere and grab a handful of stuff. (Actually more like a bootful).

I got some Spotted laurel and got a big carrier bag full .

Oh ok thanks for the reply guys, we have a spotted laurel plant that was forgotten about so I'm gonna feed them that, and the plot of land next to my house is for sale, so it's over run with evergreen plants and brambles, if I get a few samples tomorrow, would it be ok if one of you guys looked at the photos and made sure nothings poisonous?

If they where sprayed with Mortegg or Jeyes as a winter wash last year they should be fine! it's not systemic and would have worn off after 2 months at most! It's a tar winter wash and I've never known it to have a direct affect on larger insects.