Having fruit trees in your garden can be exciting, but it’s not so fun when ants start invading them. These insects are drawn to the sugary substance called honeydew, which is left by other insects like aphids that suck on the tree’s sap. When ants arrive, they can hurt your trees and fruit, and might bring even more pests with them such as wasps and flies.
But don’t worry! Here are some handy tips to help protect your fruit trees from ants.
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Clean Up Around Your Trees
One of the best ways to stop ants is to keep things tidy around your fruit trees. Ants like to find food and water, so it’s important to pick up any fruit that falls and clear away plant waste. By cutting back the grass and weeds too, you take away places where ants can live near your trees.
Try Ant Repellents
You can keep ants away using repellents, which can be made of chemicals or natural ingredients. Place repellents around the bottom of your fruit trees or on their trunks. Some things that work as natural repellents are cinnamon, white vinegar, or coffee grounds.
Create a Barrier
Another good strategy is to make a barrier to stop ants from climbing your fruit trees. Sticky barriers, such as special products like Tanglefoot, can be applied on your tree trunks. If ants try to climb, they’ll get stuck and won’t be able to reach the fruit.
Set Up Ant Baits
Ant baits can help you control how many ants are around your fruit trees. These baits attract ants with food that contains poison. The ants take the bait back to their nest, which can help reduce the number of ants. Just make sure to choose baits that are safe to use around fruit trees and always follow the directions.
Regularly Prune Your Trees
Trimming your fruit trees often can also help prevent ants. Ants are attracted to trees that have aphids and other insects producing honeydew. By cutting off branches that these insects live on, you’ll make your trees less inviting to ants.
Use Essential Oils
Essential oils like peppermint, cinnamon, and lemon are great for keeping ants away. Mix a few drops with water and spray the mixture around the base of your trees. This scent barrier will help keep ants at a distance.
Summary
Ants can be a real problem for your fruit trees and the fruit itself, but with these tips, you can say goodbye to these pests. Remember to tidy up, use different kinds of repellents, set up barriers, try using baits, prune the trees, and consider essential oils to fend them off. Follow these steps, and you’ll be on your way to healthier trees and a fruitful harvest.
