Q.
I wondered if you have any solutions for ants eating my strawberries. They are in their own space and the ground is covered in pea straw. I found one nest which I managed to destroy but still there are more ants! Any hints would be much appreciated.
A.
- Although an inconvenience, ants do not harm plants, they are scavengers looking for sugar to feed their nests.
- The fruit may have been damaged at some stage, maybe from birds, earwigs or slugs and snails, so they are feeding on the damaged fruit
- Or they are harvesting honey dew which is excreted by sucking insect pests such as aphids, scale insect or mealy bug as they feed.
- Check your strawberry plants for signs of these insects, apply an insect control product suitable for these insects if you spot any infestations. By controlling the insects the ants will disappear.
- You could apply Ant Sand, available from garden centres and hardware stores, along the trail and around the nest if you see them in the garden. The ants take the active ingredient back to the nest.
- Alternatively, you can use bait stations which you can purchase in garden centres and hardware stores.
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How can I stop ants eating my strawberries? Comments
Hi there, i would like to know about spraying Bug oil on my citrus trees. I have had something eating the leaves and i wondered if the bug oil would deter the bees from the flowers on the trees? thanks
Lindy
I don't have problems with ants in the strawberries - the problem here is slaters that eat bits out of nearly ripe strawberries.
John Brooks
I am having the same trouble as John.Help!
Debbie Parker
Hi Debbie, slaters feed on organic matter which is decomposing or composting. Suggest lifting your strawberries up on the ground maybe onto fresh straw, and prune back any excess foliage, this allows more light underneath the plant. Slaters love the dark and by increasing the amount of light in and around your plants, you will send them looking for other dark crevices to live under.
Tui Team
Mix Boric Acid & Icing Sugar with a little water to make a paste and put in or on e.g. jar lid or bottle cap.
Denise Hamilton
I'm just wondering, wont salt around plants kill them.
Bronwyn
I note penny royal will deter ants is there any natural way of deterring white fly from my herb garden Thank you
Vivienne Parker
Hi Vivienne, we would recommend Tui Insect Control for Fruit & Veges, it is a natural based product (canola oil based) which will control whitefly. Thanks, Tui Team
jenna
Try cut up lemon. Although I haven't tried this in the garden, I used the cut up lemon in the kitchen to keep the ants at bay.
maria schimanski
Hi Lindy, we're not sure what the bugs are eating the leaves on your citrus trees. If you have aphids, whitefly, scale or mites we would recommend Tui Insect Control for Fruit & Veges which is a natural based spray - find out more here: http://www.tuigarden.co.nz/product/tui-insect-control-fruit-veges-shot If you aren't sure which bug you have, you can send a photo to us at info@tuiproducts.co.nz and we can help identify it. Thanks, Tui Team
jenna
Hi Bronwyn, too much salt makes the soil sour, so we suggest using just a little to deter ants and slugs and snails. Thanks, Tui Team.
jenna
Regarding white fly we have them all over our lovely lemon trees and our strawberry bed which is elevated in a big plastic bin (like the blue farming ones but black) and cut in half length ways
Donna Brown
Hi Donna, that is a shame. They are common at this time of year unfortunately. Have you tried spraying with a natural based spray? Check at your local garden centre for spray that is registered to control whitefly. Thanks, Jenna ^Tui Team
jenna