Few ants on cucumber plants are not a problem at first. They even strengthen the ecological balance in the garden. However, if the ants become a nuisance, you should react. Here you can find out what problem the ants have
Are ants harmful to cucumber plants?
Ants on cucumber plants are not directly harmful, but can indicate an aphid infestation. Remove aphids with soft soap solution and keep ants away with scent barriers such as cinnamon, vinegar, lemon peel or herbal plants such as thyme, lavender and tansy.
Are ants harmful to cucumber plants?
Ants themselves do not directly damage the cucumber plants, but are evenuseful for your garden to a certain extent. The animals clear small garden waste from the ground and help improve the soil. Ant species such as the red wood ant eat some caterpillars that move on plants. However, if an ant nest settles under the cucumber plant or the animals constantly crawl around on the plant's leaves, things look different. In this case you should take action.
Why are there so many ants crawling around on cucumber plants?
Many ants on cucumber plants showaphid infestation. If the leaves are covered in a sticky substance, the aphid has probably spread to the plant. Ants feed on the sticky, sweet honeydew secreted by aphids. They look after the animals and protect them from enemies. As soon as the leaves become more and more sticky, the growth of the cucumber plant quickly slows down. Infestation with the pest also promotes disease. To prevent this, you should react.
How do I eliminate the cause of ants on cucumber plants?
Use a soft soap solution against the aphids. How to use this method:
- Add 1 teaspoon of soft soap and a little neem oil to 1 liter of water.
- Pour the soft soap solution into a spray bottle.
- Spray the cucumber plant with a jet of water.
- Then spray the plant with a soft soap solution.
Use this method every few days for about three weeks. You can get rid of the aphids with the home remedy. This removes the incentive for ants to visit the cucumber plant.
How do I keep scented ants away from cucumbers?
Useherbal plantsor substances with an annoyingodor to keep ants away from cucumber plants. You can use the following home remedies on cucumber plants:
- Cinnamon
- Vinegar
- grated lemon peel
Alternatively, you can also grow the following plants near the cucumber plants or place a flower pot with them next to the cucumber. They also have an unpleasant effect on ants:
- Thyme
- Lavender
- tansy
How do I break ant trails to cucumbers with lime?
Apply algae lime orgarden lime over the ant trail. With the help of these substances you can effectively interrupt the inflow. At least if the lime is not washed away, the animals stay away from it. The substance is strongly alkaline and neutralizes formic acid. For this reason, the ants do not trespass on whitewashed areas. Baking soda or baking powder is also sometimes used to combat ants. However, with this substance you kill the animals.
Tip
Support predators
Predator of the aphid will help you combat pests and ants on cucumber plants if in doubt. These include, for example, ladybirds and lacewings.
