Few ants do not harm the blackberry bush or your garden in any way. However, when a whole infestation of ants makes itself felt on the blackberry bush, things look different. This is how you find the cause and scare the ants away.
Are ants on the blackberry bush harmful and how do I get rid of them?
Ants are not fundamentally harmful to the blackberry bush, but can even be useful. Problems only arise when many ants indicate an aphid infestation. To get rid of them, you can use soft soap solution and plant herbaceous plants such as thyme nearby.
Are ants harmful to the blackberry bush?
Basically, ants are not harmful, but ratheruseful for the blackberry bush. The animals loosen the soil and carry away fallen fruit. In addition, species of ants such as the red wood ant eat caterpillars on the blackberry bush and thus ensure the elimination of pests. You should always keep these positive characteristics in mind when dealing with ants or relocating. So don’t completely drive the beneficial insects out of your garden. You should only deal with an aphid infestation or an ant nest in the root area.
What problems do many ants indicate on the blackberry bush?
If ants are constantly crawling on the blackberry bush and the leaves are sticky, this indicates anaphid infestation. The aphid magically attracts ants. And there is a reason for that. The animals secrete a sticky, sweet substance that ants feed on: honeydew. For this purpose, they nurture and care for the louse, protect it from predators and promote its spread. The sticky leaves ensure that fewer fruits grow and fungal infections can appear on the berry bush.
How do I get rid of ants on the blackberry bush?
If you remove the aphids withsoft soap solution, the ants will also leave the blackberry bush. Here's how to do it:
- Rinse off lice with a strong jet of water.
- Mix 1 liter of water with 1 tablespoon of soft soap solution and a little neem oil.
- Spray soft soap solution onto the blackberry bush.
You should use the treatment with soft soap solution a few times a week. After about 21 days, the scale insect or aphid should be gone and there should no longer be any honeydew on the leaves.
How do I prevent an influx of ants on the blackberry bush in the future?
Use alkalinelimeor substances with essentialherbal scent against ants. The following tips, among others, have proven to be effective home remedies for combating further influx of ants:
- Planting thyme, wormwood or lavender
- spread grated lemon peel
- Sprinkle cinnamon
If you interrupt ant trails by spreading algae lime, you can also stop the ants from visiting the blackberry bush. Basic dusty materials such as algal lime neutralize formic acid and are avoided by the animals. Pouring out manure is also a good prophylactic against ants on the blackberry.
Tip
Use clever companion planting
You can also keep ants away from the blackberry bush through clever companion planting. Simply plant thyme or other herbal plants with an intense scent near the blackberry. Some gardeners also use baking soda to combat ants. However, this remedy can not only drive away ants, but even kill them.
