The rhododendron is not attacked by ants too often. Here you can find out the typical cause of an ant infestation and how to react to it.
What do I do against ants on the rhododendron?
Ants on rhododendrons usually indicate aaphid infestation. If the leaves of the plant are sticky, this is a sure sign of aphids. Make asoft soap solution with 1 liter of water, soft soap and neem oil. Spray the rhododendron with it.
When do ants attack the rhododendron?
Aaphid infestation of the rhododendron strongly attracts ants. The aphid excretes a sticky residue that is high on the menu of ants. The so-called honeydew sticks to the surface of the leaves and tastes slightly sweet to ants, like sugar. However, an infestation with pests such as aphids is not without problems for the rhododendron. The sticking of the leaves hinders natural growth and promotes fungal infestation. Accordingly, you should take action if there is an aphid infestation.
How do I get rid of ants on rhododendrons?
Get rid of the aphids using asoft soap solutionand someNeem oil. If you remove the aphid, ants will no longer climb the rhododendron. How to proceed:
- Dissolve 50 grams of soft soap in a liter of lukewarm water.
- Add some neem oil.
- Fill the soft soap solution into a spray bottle.
- Spray the plant with a strong jet of water.
- Spray the affected plant with soft soap solution every few days.
After two to three weeks the aphids should be gone. Then ants will no longer appear on the rhododendron. You can supplement this treatment with other ant control products.
Which plants keep ants away from rhododendrons?
PlaceHerbs with a high content of essential oils near the rhododendron. The smell of these plants has a deterrent effect on ants. You can plant the plants directly or place pots with the herbs next to the rhododendron. For example, the following plants deter ants:
- Thyme
- Marjoram
- Lavender
Are ants harmful to rhododendrons?
The ants themselves arenot harmful for a rhododendron. The opposite is the case. The animals even make themselves felt as beneficial insects. In this way, they loosen the soil and break up organic materials so that they can then decompose. If there are few ants on the ground under the rhododendron, there is no reason to worry. You should only intervene if there is an ant infestation that indicates aphids.
Tip
Avoid limescale
In some cases, gardeners apply powdered lime, such as seaweed lime, to disrupt ant trails. However, you should not use this home remedy against ants in this case. Rhododendron reacts quite sensitively to the addition of lime. The agent changes the pH value in a direction that is unfavorable for rhododendrons.
