DEAR SUN SPOTS: My property is infested with small and carpenter ants. Is anyone out there bothered by them?

They affect my plants, and sometimes find their way into the house. The problem seems to get worse every year.

Any help would be appreciated. — No Name, No Town

ANSWER: Coincidentally, the topic of ants recently came up in the newsroom, and everyone agreed that they found Terro effective. (Be careful not to poison pets or wildlife.)

However, if you have that many carpenter ants, your problem may have multiplied beyond home remedies. You might need an exterminator.

Sun Spots once lived in a rented house where every day all summer piles of dead ants appeared. It took some time to convince the landlady that the problem was not just poor housekeeping on Sun Spots’ part (she was NOT leaving the sugar out).

By the time the owner called someone to investigate, ants had eaten through the floor sills and expensive repairs were required. Similar stories abound.

One editor related how when he was a little boy he was sitting on his uncle’s porch, leaned against the wall to take a nap and heard a crunching sound. Turned out he could actually hear the ants chewing up the wall! 

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have been gardening for several years with varying degrees of success. One problem I encounter every year without fail is the prevalence of snails and their homeless cousins, slugs.

I’ve tried various home remedies. I’ve put out small cups of beer only to find my slugs are on the wagon. I’ve used dish detergent, only to find the failed beer cups sparkling, and my tomatoes devoured. Is there an organic alternative to pulling out the chemical weapons? — Douglas McIntire, dmcintire@sunjournal.com

ANSWER: Jody Goodwin, who used to write the Sun Journal’s gardening column, recommends Sluggo, and Sun Spots found it effective. It comes in a granular form; you shake it out around the area you wish to protect. 

It kills them with no threat to insects, butterflies or pets. Jody said it is not harmful except to slugs and breaks down into a soil conditioner.

As for the large, fluorescent-green horn worms that eat tomato plants, most gardeners agree that picking them off is the best, if not only, option. There is a pesticide, but it’s pricey, and Sun Spots does not know if it works.

Unfortunately, horn worms are very difficult to see on the plant. Mr. Sun Spots even tried buying a black-light flashlight and going out after dark to spot them, but it wasn’t very helpful — he thinks because it was an LED light, not an incandescent.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Could you please tell us when the Turner Hannaford store on Route 4 is expected to have its grand opening? Thanking you in advance. — L.B., bomech@roadrunner.com

ANSWER: Sun Spots emailed with Alaina in Hannaford Consumer Relations, who wrote that: “Barring any unforeseen circumstances, we are planning to open on July 20.”

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I did not see my letter in your column July 8 column but now my phone is ringing nonstop with people trying to sell cameras to me.

I had only wanted to find if there was any interest in establishing a camera-collectors group to exchange information. Please let your readers know I will answer any and all emails but do not have the phone minutes to talk. Thanks! —  Steve C., ifga92@yahoo.com

ANSWER: Sun Spots recommended Steve include a phone number. She’s sorry it backfired.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m hoping with your help to find roses by the name of “seven sisters.” It is an older variety, but hopefully someone in the South Paris area will have them. Thanking you ahead of time. — Heather Rose, 743-1908

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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