| General recommendations. Ants are attracted to the sticky honeydew secreted by aphids, leafhoppers, mealybugs, whiteflies and scale insects. While not problematic in and of itself, the presence of ants in your garden may indicate and/or exacerbate aphid problems. See Aphids, Hoppers, Mealybugs, Scales and Whiteflies.
Specific recommendations for fruit trees. To prevent ants from entering the foliage crowns of fruit trees, where they may aggravate aphid problems, use a 4-inch wide strip of polyester fiber matting to snugly surround the trunk, covered by a 4-inch wide strip of household plastic wrap. Smear this with a sticky substance such as Ant-Bar. The barrier will stretch as the tree grows, but once it splits, replace it. |
