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aphids and ants

dave56armstrongdave56armstrong Posts: 50
in Problem solving
this may be a sort of ethical question, my big daisy type plants have a fair amount of aphids on, I was about to squish them by hand but noticed lots of ants tending them, it doesn't seem right to harm ants, I know lot of people do kill ants in their gardens, my neighbours are currently waging war on ants, my grandkids like watching them, and they don't harm the garden and so I wondered if I should just leave them their mutual relationships, or will the aphids damage my plants?. Apologies for blurry image, my camera preferred the ivy. 

Posts

  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    I believe I've seen TV programmes that refer to ants 'farming' aphids and 'milking' something from them.  If so, you have a problem of conscience OR you could sacrifice a few ants if you want to get rid of the aphids.  After all, you'd only kill those on the plant at the time, I suppose, but now wait for the clamour.
  • Jolly Gary the GardenerJolly Gary the Gardener Posts: 133
    use a soapy water solution and spray the affected areas.use the green washing up liquid like "Fairy" other brands are available (haha) works for me,the ants farm the aphids and protect them from predators.However a natural alternative is the Ladybird they will feed on them.Thing is they are never around when you need them.

    Happy gardening
  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487

    If you intend to spray, the liquid from boiled rhubarb leaves is effective, although it needs to be kept away from anything directly edible as it is poisonous.  I say 'directly' edible because I can't see it harming things like peas and beans inside their pods.  I've always used it anyway.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Just spray them off with a hose or similar. The ants will move elsewhere, especially if you give the area a good soaking. Or wipe them off with your hand. If you have lots of birds visiting, especially blue tits, they love aphids, so in most years it balances out. 

    The aphids suck sap from the plant, so a heavy infestation can damage it. The ants feed on the honeydew they produce, so it's an ecosystem of it's own. It's down to you which matters more - the plants or the aphids and ants.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184
    I Use the hose and my philadelphus is now completely clear, Elder still has a few but i expect the ladybirds 🐞 to polish them off soon, lots of ladybird larvae in the garden and at the allotment. 
  • eyecatchercwdeyecatchercwd Posts: 42
    You need to keep an eye on ants farming aphids as it can suddenly get out of control and spread to neighbouring plants ruining everything in your garden.
  • dave56armstrongdave56armstrong Posts: 50
    thanks all, I used a paintbrush with some soapy water, when I looked properly there were a lot of aphids so they needed sorting out.
  • dave56armstrongdave56armstrong Posts: 50
    I actually had a cluster of ladybird eggs so I hoped they might grow up and eat the aphids but they seem to have gone elsewhere on emerging. Greener grass?
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