Aphids almost magically attract ants. Here you can find out why this is the case and which aphid substance the ants eat. However, this coexistence can have problematic consequences for the affected plants.
Do ants eat aphids or protect them?
Ants do not eat aphids, but feed on their sweet excretions. They milk and protect the aphids from predators, which can be problematic for affected plants as the infestation increases the risk of fungal infections and slows plant metabolism.
Do ants eat aphids?
Ants do not eat aphids, but rather feed ontheir excretions The louse excretes a sticky, sweet residue. This is so sought after by ants that the ants even specifically milk aphids. However, the excretion causes the leaves of the affected plant to stick together. When this happens, the plant's natural metabolism slows down. Aphid infestation also increases the risk of fungal infections. Even if ants do not damage plants themselves, the infestation is by no means harmless to the plant.
How do ants behave to aphids?
antsmilkingaphids andprotect them from predators. To a certain extent, both animals live in a kind of symbiosis. For example, ants repel ladybirds and some lacewings, which otherwise eat pests such as aphids from leaves. When the ants protect the aphids and cultivate them on plants, the infestation continues to spread. Although the ant itself is a beneficial insect and not a pest, you should therefore take action against such ant infestations on plants in an emergency.
How do I keep ants and aphids away from plants?
Eliminatetheaphids or attach a glue ring to the trunk of trees. You can clean smaller plants with rubbing alcohol. Otherwise, a solution with the following ingredients has also proven to be a home remedy against aphids:
- tbsp soft soap
- some neem oil
- 1 liter of water
First blast the leaves of the affected plant with a jet of water. This allows you to remove pests on it to a certain extent. In order to finally get rid of the animals, you should treat the plant several times with a soft soap solution.
Tip
View ants as beneficial insects
Just because the ants promote aphid infestation does not mean they are pests. Ants remove a lot of garden waste and ensure that the soil is in good condition. This is a useful animal that makes an important contribution to maintaining ecological balance. It is therefore best to combat the animals using gentle methods.
