Ants Eating my Flowers - Orchid Board

lovemyorchids35 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-18-2008, 09:44 AM

again everyone. Hoping someone could help me with my ant problems. Well I think it ants. I have 3 cymbidiums currently in flower and something is eating the flowers. I noticed that ants are crawling up the stem and after closer inspection of the pots I see ants in them. They dont seem to me making house in my ferns just my orchids. I am new to orchid growing and these are my first flowers so its disappointing to go out every morning and see this. Its seems to be getting worse. I have not used ant dust or such yet because Im worried my plants will die. What else can I use before my next lot of flowers open.

orchids3 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-18-2008, 10:04 AM

I would use the same ant bait we use in lawns - on top of the potting media. Ants like dirt in their nests but if your pots dont contain dirt the ants will go get some. Cymbidiums should be grown with all parts of the pot at least 18 inches above the ground. It helps keeps all soil born pests out including pathogens such a fusarian wilt.

lovemyorchids35 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-18-2008, 10:16 AM

Thanks. My plants are in my greenhouse which are about 1 metre off the ground, so I was surprised to find ants. Maybe I bought the ants into the house from another plant (maybe a fern) which are on the shelves below. I was told to spray milk on them?? That would kill any pests.

Dorothy · #4 (**permalink**) 03-18-2008, 02:17 PM

Ants don't like cinnamon, citrus or oregano .. rub some orange or lemon on the basket and sprinkle cinnamon on it or .. make a spray of lemon or orange juice (fresh) and spray it on the plant ( if you want to, dilute it with water and also add a drop of liquid soap and spray/soak the medium) for a natural remedy.

Gin · #5 (**permalink**) 03-18-2008, 04:04 PM

I doubt it is the ants that are eating the blooms probably another pest doing it , ants eat the honey dew (poo) created by the bug that is doing the damage . Gin

orchids3 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 10:13 AM

Gin,
Believe you are right - Ants actually carry insects onto plants so that the bugs will produce honey dew. To an ant it is like having a cow to produce food. Aphids are the ants favorites. To get rid of aphids on my orange trees I have to kill the ants first. The aphids are easy to kill - it can be done with a strong spray of water.

Dorothy · #7 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 11:14 AM

EW!

Ants are gross ...

Ranchnanny · #8 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 01:03 PM

I use a product called Terro its a clear syrup. I use it to get rid of ants in the house haven't had any for 2 years. You take small bits of thin cardboard and place several large drops of Terro and place them around the green house especially near the ants trail they take it back to the nest and it kills

any young ants as well. It shouldn't hurt the plants just place the cardboard on the trail the ants us going back and forth.

Hope that helps

TTFN
Sheridan

Bobfharris · #9 (**permalink**) 03-28-2008, 03:07 AM

You can use a product called Orange Guard (google will lead you to the site). You can dilute the product up to 4:1 with water and not lose effectiveness. I use it as a spray on the plants or you can dunk the entire plant in a solution, soak for a few minutes and then drain. Kills ants on contact and has NO phytotoxicity. Not much residual though but a good clean kill in the pot.

lovemyorchids35 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-28-2008, 06:56 AM

Thanks everyones for your suggestions. I bought a spray to kill whatever is eating the flowers, but still have the ant problem. I have tried the orange juice and will have to see what happens. I do like the Orange Guard idea. Kill them once. Im assuming I can dunk my orchid plant in the solution with no worries. Should I wait till after flowering. I have new flower shoots coming up to flower June/July. I have sprinkled ant powder around the greenhouse edge so hopefully that will help to stop them from getting in, but I agree with you Dorothy - ANTS ARE GROSS!!!