Ants generally promise many benefits for your garden and plants like rhubarb. Therefore, these are not uninvited guests. However, a heavy ant infestation indicates problems. How to fight ants on rhubarb.
How do you fight ants on rhubarb?
Ants are not generally harmful to rhubarb, but if there is a heavy infestation they can indicate problems such as aphids. To combat ants on rhubarb, you can use companion plants such as thyme, marjoram or lavender and use home remedies such as plant manure or citrus scents.
Are ants on rhubarb harmful?
Ants are beneficial insects that can even promote plant growth. Basically, the small forest workers remove organic waste. They contribute to decomposition and loosen the soil. In this role, you bring advantages to your garden that plants clearly benefit from. However, when ants discover aphids on plants, they quickly cause the aphid infestation to spread. In this case at the latest you should react to ants on the rhubarb. You also need to take action against an ant nest in the root area of the rhubarb.
When does an ant infestation indicate aphids?
Sticky leaves in connection with ant trails on the plant are an indication ofAphid infestation The aphid excretes so-called honeydew. Ants like to feed on this sticky, sweet substance. To get more of them, ants protect and care for the aphids. They even protect the pest from enemies and thus ensure that the infestation spreads. To get rid of the aphids, you should treat the affected rhubarb with a soft soap solution (€4.00 on Amazon) or neem oil products.
Which plants keep ants away from rhubarb?
You can specifically plant companion plants next to the rhubarb that will deter ants. Certain herbs with essential oils in particular keep ants away. For example, use these plants:
- Thyme
- Marjoram
- Lavender
Sprinkling cinnamon or grated lemon peel also creates an unpleasant smell for ants. This way you can dissuade the next creepy crawly from its path and disperse ant trails to the rhubarb.
What home remedies can I use to prevent ants on rhubarb?
The use of plant manure is also very effective against ants. With this remedy you can disperse the scent trails left by animals along ant trails. You can signal to ants that your rhubarb is off-limits to the animals. Various plants can be used against ants:
- Stinging Nettle
- tansy
- Wormwood
- Lemon
How do I relocate an ant nest near rhubarb?
If you have somewood wooland aclay pot on hand, you can also relocate smaller ant nests. To do this, fill the pot with wood shavings and then place it over the anthill with the opening pointing downwards. Close the drain hole with a stone. After a week, push a spade underneath and move the ant colony out of the bed.
Tip
Baking soda acts as a destructive agent
Baking soda is also a deadly control agent. However, you should only use this against ants in an emergency.
