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Ants are farming aphids on my apple tree!

WonkyWombleWonkyWomble Posts: 4,541
in Problem solving

Ants are marching up and down the trunk of my little apple tree farming aphids! image I've now got hands like the Hulk from sqidging them. I was advised that Vaseline on the trunk stops them being able to walk through it, but it turns out that these are very sterdy hill walking ants with crampons and are not deterred by this! Does anyone have any non chemical solution to this problem please?

Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    The vaseline band need to be about 3 inches wide and about 1/4" thick, or you can buy grease bands instead Wonky.  You also need to make sure there is no other route to the tree such as a tall growing plant near it, otherwise they *will* find the alternative route!  One year I put the grease band below where the trunk was tied to the stake - duh! image

    Last edited: 28 May 2016 10:45:59

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • WonkyWombleWonkyWomble Posts: 4,541

    They are determined Bob! Thank you for that I will give it a go! There are no plants near but will trim long bits of grass close by that could be used as a ladder! image it is only its second year in the garden and I planted it in memory of my Grandpa, Doves father. Its a braburn and now I have a crabapple, it produced blossom for the first time and the promise of little apples but the aphids are taking over!

    Thanks again image

  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360

    I used grease bands, the winter moth ones, when I had a similar problem. They worked, but as Bob says you do need to make sure there are no other available routes. 

    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • WonkyWombleWonkyWomble Posts: 4,541

    Glad to hear I'm not being picked on by the ants! image good to know its solvable LG, as I'm drastically out numbered! Got to give it a go, can't go banour with permanently green hands! 

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    Yeh - and check they don't have access to ropes for bungee-ing in either Wonks....image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • WonkyWombleWonkyWomble Posts: 4,541

    Fairy I was wondering if you had trained them on your hill walking expeditions! image

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    Nowt to do with me Wonks.....honest.....image  image

    A good hefty squirt from a hose might be easier than the squishing to shift the aphids when they're really bad. Or wear rubber gloves...image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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