Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Ants on bay

leeali86leeali86 Posts: 75
in Problem solving
So I’ve had a problem with scale on bay tree I’ve been manually descaling and used ecofective bug spray, I've  moved the tree away from my other plants but I woke up this morning and it is now full of ants What can I do to stop this?? Having a mare with it!!

Posts

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Something must be attracting them. Is there something sugary in your eco spray?
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    When you say 'it's full of ants' what exactly do you mean - is it in a pot?
    If so, a good soaking moves them on. The only damage they do is to undermine plant roots, and that only happens if the soil  is very dry. Keep soaking it on a regular basis and they'll move on. They're pretty harmless, but if there's aphids around, they farm those for their secretions. A spray from the hose [not when it's sunny] will scatter them too.
    Taking care of your management of plants helps avoid pests and diseases too  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    The scale insects excrete honeydew just like aphids. That’s what the ants are after. Get rid of the scale and the ants will move on 👍 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • leeali86leeali86 Posts: 75
    Fairygirl said:
    When you say 'it's full of ants' what exactly do you mean - is it in a pot?
    If so, a good soaking moves them on. The only damage they do is to undermine plant roots, and that only happens if the soil  is very dry. Keep soaking it on a regular basis and they'll move on. They're pretty harmless, but if there's aphids around, they farm those for their secretions. A spray from the hose [not when it's sunny] will scatter them too.
    Taking care of your management of plants helps avoid pests and diseases too  :)
    Yeah it’s in a pot, I have ornamental stones in the top so the ants are easy to see they are in the pot and on the tree Hopefully as I get rid of the scale as @Dovefromabove said hopefully they will go.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Keep the pot well watered. That’ll move them on. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





Sign In or Register to comment.