If there are ants in the garden, that in itself is not a bad sign. It shows that your garden's ecosystem is in good shape. However, a noticeable number of ants on currant bushes can also indicate a problem. Here's how to respond.
How to reduce ants on currant bushes?
To reduce ants on currant bushes, you should first combat the aphid infestation, as ants are attracted to their sweet excretions. Use a soft soap solution with neem oil and interrupt ant trails with lime or essential oils.
When should I do something about ants on currant bushes?
If the influx of ants indicates anaphid infestation, you should react. The ants feed on the sweet excretions of the aphid. Unfortunately, the so-called honeydew that the animals excrete also sticks to the surface of the leaves. And that can cause problems:
- Plant metabolism slows down
- Fungal infestation is encouraged
- Berry yield decreases
Ants look after the lice, milk them and even protect them from enemies. If you don't take action, the pests will continue to multiply.
What can I do against ants on currant bushes?
First of all, you should remove the existingaphids. If you eliminate the cause, there won't be as many ants climbing up the currant bushes. The following approach has proven successful in combating aphids:
- Prepare a soft soap solution with a little neem oil.
- Water the currant bushes first.
- Wipe severely affected leaves with a damp cloth.
- Spray soft soap solution over leaves of the plant.
- Apply soft soap solution 3 times a week for 3 weeks.
As a result of the treatment, existing aphids disappear and no more offspring settle.
How do I interrupt ant trails to currant bushes?
You can use limitations withlimeoressential oils. Simply sprinkle lime on the path in the appropriate places. The animals generally do not exceed the alkaline material, but instead consistently avoid the powder. Essential oils, such as those found in certain herbs, repel ants with their smell. For example, you can use the following substances to combat ants:
- grated lemon peel
- crushed cinnamon
- Tea tree oil
If a whole ant nest has settled near the currant, relocation may make sense.
Are ants fundamentally harmful to currant bushes?
Basically, ants are not pests, butBeneficial insects The animals benefit the currant bush in two main ways. On the one hand, you loosen the soil, ensure that the soil is well ventilated and thus create optimal conditions for good root growth on berry bushes. On the other hand, ants carry away fallen fruits that would otherwise rot under the bush. You can think of ants as a kind of useful garbage disposal that performs central work in the ecosystem. That's why you shouldn't kill the animals.
Tip
These beneficial insects help against ants on currant bushes
In the animal kingdom you have many allies against the aphid. While ants tend to aphids, the small pests are on the menu of ladybirds and lacewings. So if these animals crawl on the leaves of the currant bushes, you should let them be.
