Ants on my plants

AlimacOZ · Mar 7, 2014

Hi all,

I've noticed this morning that there are a fair few ants on my plants, they've all got pods on them but the ants don't appear to be going near them, just all over the leaves, is this anything to be worries about?

Nightshade · Mar 7, 2014

Everytime I get ants they farm aphids on my plants and build a nest in my potted plants I dont like them

President Trump · Mar 7, 2014

Last year I grew sunflowers with my peppers. The ants preferred to farm their aphids on the sunflowers instead of the pepper plants.

cruzzfish · Mar 7, 2014

Last time I saw ants, they where going after the flowers. Didn't bring in a single aphid and I ended up with double the usual number of pods that time.

Rainman · Mar 8, 2014

Aphids every time for me when I see ants...

bravesfan · Mar 8, 2014

cruzzfish said:
Last time I saw ants, they where going after the flowers. Didn't bring in a single aphid and I ended up with double the usual number of pods that time.

I saw this as well. Ended up being really good pollinators for me. I did see 1 plant with lots of ants that had aphids, but otherwise no issues

cruzzfish · Mar 8, 2014

bravesfan said:
I saw this as well. Ended up being really good pollinators for me. I did see 1 plant with lots of ants that had aphids, but otherwise no issues

I got BLS at some point, but that probably wasn't them any more than it was anything else that went outside ever.

I just noticed that the guy posting is from Australia. Meaning that the 'ants' he's getting are probably seven feet tall, on fire, and dripping with a toxic mix strong enough to melt concrete. if that's the case, then keep the door closed and look into ways to keep them out.

Proud Marine Dad · Mar 9, 2014

Ants dont always farm aphids that's a misconception.

Trippa · Mar 9, 2014

AlimacOZ said:
Hi all,

I've noticed this morning that there are a fair few ants on my plants, they've all got pods on them but the ants don't appear to be going near them, just all over the leaves, is this anything to be worries about?

Are they the smaller honey ants ?? I get those on all my plants but they go for the nectar/pollen of the flowers and don't cause aphid issues ever. They do however like to make nests in and around tthe pots... Only down side to them I have seen.

AlimacOZ · Mar 10, 2014

They sure are Trippa, they seem to be doing just that, I can't see any sign of aphids so I'll leave them alone for the time being.