"Orange" You Glad You're Not a Fire Ant

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Not all visitors are welcomed in the garden. To combat fire ants from our garden, and to be organic, Mr. Painter collects orange rinds from the cafeteria and teacher's lounge. Many families contribute to this effort as well. Students have learned over the years the unwanted visitors, fire ants, build their homes next to areas with height. It is one of the many safety lessons every year. Students, with adult supervision, observe these mounds for activity. Mr. Painter gives the students orange rinds and warm water to mix in the watering cans. Then Mr. Painter pours the natural solution over the mounds. The students observe and check back in a few days. Many times the fire ants move to the parking lot only to return, but this doesn't stop us from being "orange". It's the only solution so as not to pollute our garden with chemicals.