Strictly speaking, ants are not pests, but - on the contrary - very useful insects. Nevertheless, the hard-working little animals can cause a lot of damage, especially to roses.

Ants on roses can be an indication of aphids

Ants are often a sign of an aphid infestation

Where there are ants, you will often find aphids. Therefore, you should first examine a rose that is conspicuously teeming with ants for aphid infestation and then fight it on a broad front. Both the ants and the aphids severely damage the plant and often result in fungal diseases (such as sooty mold). Ants "keep" aphids as "pets" so to speak, with both species benefiting from each other. The aphids enjoy the protection of the defensive ants, while the ants, in turn, use the honey-sweet, nutritious aphid excretions for food.

Ants sitting between the roots damage roses

Aphids weaken the rose because the insects pierce the leaf veins and suck out the plant sap. Their excretions, known as honeydew, are often populated by black fungi (e.g. sooty mold), but they also attract ants. These in turn damage the plant, primarily indirectly, by loosening the soil and thus the roots through their digging activities. These, in turn, can then absorb less water and nutrients, so that the rose subsequently wilts, turns yellow and finally withers.

Drive away ants - lavender or nettle manure helps

Baking powder is often used as a home remedy against ants, but this is only partially effective. It is better to fight the annoying animals in the following way:

  • First, get rid of any aphids that may be present.
  • Non-toxic biological agents work best here,
  • for example potash soap.
  • At best, spray this over the entire plant in the evening.
  • First loosen the soil around the rose thoroughly
  • but do not damage roots!
  • Then tread firmly on the ground again
  • and water rose more frequently.
  • Watering with a lavender or nettle decoction has also proven to be effective,
  • ants don't particularly like mint tea either.

Frequent watering will certainly drive away the ants, but will damage the rose in the long run. You should therefore not overdo it, but rather use a proven ant remedy in the event of a severe infestation.

tips

In addition, ants do not particularly like garden lime (9.70€) or the aromas of lemons, cinnamon, chili or cloves. You can also apply these substances to the affected area and drive away the annoying insects.

Category:

Vegetable garden