Few ants are no problem for a stately lemon tree. However, if the plant is overrun by lots of ants, something is wrong. This is how you deal with ants on the lemon tree or in the soil of the lemon tree.
How do I get rid of ants in lemon tree soil?
To combat ants in the soil of a lemon tree, water the soil several times with plant manure or spread cinnamon on the surface. Lemon manure, nettle manure, wormwood manure and tansy manure have a particularly deterrent effect on ants.
Are ants in the soil harmful to the lemon tree?
Ants on the lemon tree can promoteaphid infestationor undermine the rootsHowever, these problems usually only occur when ant trails have formed lemon tree, there are aphids on the leaves of the lemon tree or there is an ant nest in the soil. So check the extent of the ant infestation first before taking action against the beneficial insects. Ant nests are a problem because they undermine root areas. Then the lemon tree loses its stability and the roots receive fewer nutrients.
How do I get rid of aphids and ants on the lemon tree?
You can fight an aphid infestation on the lemon tree with strongwater jetsandsoft soap solution If you suspect the mealybug is the cause of the ant infestation on the lemon tree, first check the leaves of the plant. Is there a sticky residue on their surface? Then the plant was attacked by the pest. The sticky residue is an excretion of the aphid. Ants feed on this, care for and milk the scale insect. How to proceed:
- Rinse the leaves
- Spray the lemon tree with spirit or soft soap solution.
How can I control ants in the soil of the lemon tree?
Water the soil thoroughly and several times with plant manure or sprinkleCinnamon on the soil. The following manures have a particularly deterrent effect on ants due to their smell:
- tansy manure
- Wormwood Manure
- Stinging nettle manure
- Lemon Manure
Sprinkling cinnamon on the surface of the soil will also keep ants away from your lemon tree. However, the effect of this powder wears off quite quickly. If you have the impression that the animals are moving underground in the flower pot, replacing the substrate or repotting it into new substrate will help.
How do I keep ants away from the lemon tree?
Pour lime around the pot orlime the places where ants can find access to the lemon tree. The following materials are suitable for this:
- Algae limestone
- Primitive rock flour
- Garden lime
- Chalk powder
In this case, you are dealing with a dusty powder that has a strongly alkaline pH value. Thanks to these properties, the substances neutralize formic acid. Therefore, ants do not enter surfaces that have been sprinkled with it.
Tip
Use baking soda to kill ants
Baking soda can be used as a remedy against an acute ant infestation on the lemon tree. Apply the product in the saucer or on the ground under the lemon tree. If the ants eat it, they die. Please note, however, that you will destroy the useful animals.