Ants and Aphids in Containers

[EllieB]

Hi there,

Does anybody have any suggestions of how to combat ants and aphids in the containers on my balcony? I am trying to grow veg to eat (e.g. courgettes, lettuce) so am looking for non-chemical methods. I have read about deterrents such as garlic spray but am concerned that this will just move the ants from plant to plant.

Any help would be much appreciated,

Ellie x

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Ellie, the ants are attracted by the aphids which secrete a sweet honeydew liquid, so if you can eliminate the aphids hopefully the ants will go somewhere else. I would squash the aphids and then wipe the leaves with wet kitchen paper towel to remove the sweet liquid that is attracting the ants. The underside of the leaves should be where you will find most of them and also their eggs.

A spray of very, very diluted, non anti-bacterial, washing up liquid in water is said to kill aphids. You can buy sticky aphid paper traps which might work on a balcony. Ants hate water. If you know where the nest is pour boiling water on it. I would also squash the ants but wash the area with water afterwards because I think dead ants attract others. (Probably wrong!)

[jane28]

Is it a myth because i have heard ants will not walk across a chalk line...

Maybe that could work?

[riversidegc]

Poisoned Ant baits are an option, as they will not taint the plants but will attract the ants away from them. The ants will then take this 'food' back to the nest to share and will destroy the colony at source. The trick is finding the right one as they adapt their tastes to suit the needs of the colony. More info on this at:

Riverside Garden Centre - Garden and outdoor furniture

As for crushing the ants, this is a teporary fix for getting rid of the odd one but make sure you wipe the area with soapy water as i have read that specidic types give off some sort of scent which will attract more ant who will look to retrieve the dead body(s)

Hope this helps a little

[2dogs]

Spearmint deters ants and aphids, you could try a few leaves round your pots.
ants dont like peppermint either,
maybe its the fresh breath sensation they dont like