My recently planted fruit trees are striving to make themselves at home in my hot climate.
But now some local ants, large and small, are turning the leaves into their personal smorgasbord.
A. I don't wish to harm the ants on ethical grounds.
B. I subscribe to a permaculture concept in which nature is something with which to coexist not subdue. There's room for all creatures to thrive.
But neither an I willing to see my trees nibbled bare.
Any of your green thumb growers know of a non-deadly but effective repellant to make these hungry ants look elsewhere for noms?
Replies
Ants hate cinnamon… i had them in my house and i sprinkled cinnamon in the corners where i could see they got in, and they dissapered….
Though I don't have any fruit trees yet, just a few berry bushes, I have found an effective way to stave ants and other pests off of garden squashes and potatoes. I observed that the ants LOVED wild Evening Primrose plants so I transplanted some near each garden plant. There will still be some ants/bugs but our plants don't get decimated like they used to. This has been especially effective with Japanese Potato beetles, but I notices some ants out in the garden yesterday but most on the primrose. I'll try to get you a picture. Maybe there's a wild plant in your area that the ants will prefer? Or maybe something offensive to them - a strong smelling herb - what about wild sage?
You could spray them with a hose for a temporary fix until you figure something else. Ants are pretty resilient!
Thanks, Mary :)