Is your maple tree being visited by more and more ants? Here you will find out what this means and how you should react to this observation.
Are ants harmful to maple trees?
Ants on the maple tree do not directly harm the tree, but can indicate aphid or fungal infestation. If there is heavy ant traffic, you should examine the tree and, if necessary, eliminate the causes, e.g. with nettle manure to combat aphids or glue rings to combat ants.
Can ants harm maple trees?
The ants themselves do not cause any damage to the maple tree, but they can be asymptomfor anotherproblem. A large influx of ants can indicate that the maple tree has been attacked by aphids. The ants look after the animals. They milk the louse and feed on the honeydew it secretes. A heavy infestation of these pests results in more and more sap being withdrawn from the tree. This can cause significant damage to the plant.
When do ants attack the maple tree?
Ants can indicateaphid infestationor afungal infestation of the maple tree. In most cases, aphids are likely to be the cause. However, it also happens that a fungal attack causes parts of the maple tree to die. The ants then sometimes settle in these dead parts with a small ant nest.
How many ants can a maple tree tolerate?
An irregular orsmall ant visit on the maple tree is not a problem. The animals can even be useful. They are known as useful forest workers, loosening the soil and cleaning up organic materials. You should only react when entire ant trails form on the maple tree. Check the tree for possible causes.
How do I get ants off the maple tree?
If you fix thecause, the ants will disappear from the maple tree. You can get rid of aphids, for example, with the help of nettle manure. How to use the home remedy correctly:
- Crush 1 kilogram of nettle.
- Pour in 10 liters of water.
- Place in a cool and dark place.
- Stir once a day.
- Let it steep for over a week.
Spray the maple tree with the nettle manure obtained over a few days. The home remedy works against aphids and at the same time provides the tree with a natural fertilizer.
How do I block ants' access to the maple tree?
Useglue ringsorcuffs against the ants. The ants cannot easily cross the sticky surface and will not climb further up the maple tree. In this way you also ensure that aphids are no longer cared for by ants and are protected from their natural enemies.
Tip
View the roots of the maple tree
Be sure to also look at the root area of the maple tree. Sometimes ants nest here. A large ant nest can cause the soil to become too loose and endanger the stability of the maple tree. This can lead to problems, especially with young maple trees.