If you see a plant covered in ants, it's likely that the ants are herding aphids.
They will pick up an aphid and move it to where they think they will get the best sugar. Then, when the aphid is nice and plump, they suck the sugar out of the aphid's anus.
Aphids are small, soft bodied insects with a needle-like mouth. They stick their needle into the plant and extract the sugar as it is on its way down to the root.
Getting rid of aphids is easy. For best results order some "aphid lion" (lacewing larvae) eggs. Ladybugs can be ordered too, but they tend to fly away before the job is done. Aphid lions don't have their wings yet, and have a big appetite for aphids.
See also
- Organic pesticides
- Soil improvement and fertilisation
- Crop protection
- How to practice sustainable agriculture
Interwiki links
External links
- Ants and Aphids on my Apple Tree - richsoil.com article with explanation and instructions on controlling ants and aphids, using various methods. Includes pictures and video.
- forum on ants and aphids at permies.com