Ants are an important part our gardens. They sometimes cause trouble, but mostly ants behave like good little caretakers, keeping things clean and safe for your plants, loosening and re-arranging soil, and processing vegetable matter for re-use.But they also farm aphids and or similar sap-sucking insects, sometimes causing lethal damage even to large fruit trees.
sticky barriers
Tanglefoot is the best known brand. These products are useful for keeping aphid-farming ants out of trees. A band of sticky goop keeps ants from crossing. Products like this attract dirt and must be checked often to keep
If you use tanglefoot or a similar product to control ants in trees, make sure branches aren't touching the ground providing ant access. Also look at high branches and whatever they may be in contact with that can provide ants with a path to your tree.
home-made ant repellents
Vinegar, sprayed full-strength or partly diluted will keep ants away from an area for a surprising length of time.
Even better is Windex or a similar glass cleaning product. It leaves a smelly (to ants) residue that drives them away.
cultivation practices
Healthy plants are not easily subject to aphid and scale infestations, even when encouraged by ants.
Make sure plants are well watered and fertilized to insure resistance to aphids, scale and other ant-farmed pests.
