Strictly speaking, ants are not pests, but - on the contrary - very useful insects. Nevertheless, these hard-working animals can cause a lot of damage, especially to roses.
How can I get rid of ants on roses?
To get rid of ants on roses, first fight aphids with potash soap, loosen the soil, tamp it down, water more often and use lavender or nettle manure. Ants also avoid garden lime, lemon flavors, cinnamon, chili or cloves.
Ants are often an indication of an aphid infestation
Where there are ants, you will often also find aphids. That's why you should first examine a rose that is noticeably swarming with ants for an aphid infestation and then fight on a broad front. Both the ants and the aphids cause severe damage to the plant and often result in fungal diseases (such as sooty mold fungus). Ants “keep” aphids as “pets,” so to speak, with both species benefiting from each other. The aphids enjoy protection from the defensive ants, while these in turn use the honey-sweet, nutritious excretions of the aphids as food.
Ants sitting between the roots damage roses
Aphids weaken the rose because the little animals puncture the leaf veins and suck out the plant sap. Their secretions, called honeydew, are often contaminated by black fungi (e.g. B. sooty mold fungi), but also attract ants. These in turn damage the plant, primarily indirectly, by loosening the soil and thus also the roots through their digging activities. These in turn can then absorb less water and nutrients, so that the rose wilts, turns yellow and ultimately withers.
Repel ants – lavender or nettle manure helps
Baking soda is often used as a home remedy against ants, but this is only partially effective. It is better if you fight the annoying animals in the following way:
- First of all, combat any aphids that may be present.
- Non-toxic biological agents work best,
- for example potassium soap (€7.00 on Amazon).
- Spray this on the entire plant in the evening at best.
- Now first loosen the soil around the rose thoroughly
- but don't damage any roots!
- Then press the earth firmly again
- and water rose more often.
- Watering with a lavender or nettle decoction has also proven to be effective,
- although ants don't particularly like peppermint tea either.
Frequent watering certainly drives away the ants, but it damages the rose in the long run. That's why you shouldn't overdo it, but rather use a proven ant remedy if there is a severe infestation.
Tip
Ants also don't particularly like garden lime or the aromas of lemons, cinnamon, chili or cloves. You can also apply these substances to the affected area and drive away the annoying insects.
