Ants on an apple tree - how to get rid of, harm or benefit from insects

Ants are the recognized orderlies of the forest, they benefit the trees. An exception is their appearance on an apple tree, especially in large numbers. They can cause significant harm in the form of crop damage and death of the apple crop. Insects are especially dangerous for young seedlings. Therefore, you need to know what to do if the ants are on the apple tree, how to get rid of them using different means.

Ants on an apple tree - harm or benefit

In fact, not all ants harm garden plantings, including the apple tree. Brown insects have beneficial effects, so they are completely harmless. But individuals painted black should be disposed of immediately.

The apple trees on which the ants have settled, the leaves are curled

Pest symptoms

Every garden owner should know how to treat an apple tree from aphids and ants. These pests can destroy the crop and the tree itself. The first sign of the presence of an insect is the wounds on the fruit. There are other symptoms, namely:

• sticky liquid on a sheet plate;
• withering foliage;
• moves appear in the branches and trunk.

What ants look like

Summer residents come across garden ants most often. They can be found on fruit trees. Insects can attack other crops as well. Their external description is as follows:

• the trunk consists of three segments, where the abdomen and head are clearly distinguished;
• long antennae and small villi on the body;
• the presence of three pairs of legs, distinguished by special agility.

The most dangerous ants are painted black, it is them that you need to get rid of in the first place.

Insect spread

Pests can appear in the garden for a variety of reasons. Most often they are looking for food for themselves, and the apple tree is ideal for this. Also, the spread can be caused by:

• garbage left over from last year;
• foliage, fallen branches;
• natural fertilizers in the root system.

Insects can attack the garden because of the aroma of some vegetable and flowering crops. They smell and rush to the site, and already there they find a more suitable place for themselves.

Insect life cycle

As for the life cycle, it includes four full stages that develop within 30 days. The full cycle is determined by three years, but experience shows that anthills are renewed more often, about once every 1-1.5 years.

Are there varieties of apple trees that are not interested in ants

Breeders of not only Russian companies, but also foreign ones have been working on this issue for a long time. It has not yet been possible to develop a variety that would not be attractive to pests of this type.

This is due to the fact that there are many substances in the apple tree, for the sake of which hordes of ants rush to the tree. Actually, we need to get rid of them, which means that we will have to completely change the characteristics of the culture as a whole. It is impossible to do this.

Pests appear during the swelling of the kidneys. It is at this time that the trees should be examined more often. The second attack occurs in early summer - in June

Ants on an apple tree appear, as a rule, during the swelling of the buds.

Methods for dealing with ants on apple trees

There are different methods of insect control. If aphids and ants appeared on the apple tree, what to do in this case:

• treat plantings with chemicals;
• set traps;
• use folk remedies;
• carry out mechanical processing.

Don't forget about preventive measures. Correct agricultural technology reduces the risk of pests on the site several times.

Insect control preparations

Chemicals will cope with the task quickly and efficiently, they are presented in a wide range. According to most gardeners, the following drugs have shown themselves best:

• "Combat" - the agent paralyzes the pest, after which he dies. Sold in the form of a gel and in an aerosol can.
• "Aktara" - the tool has a complex effect. It fights not only with ants, but also with other insects that harm the fruit plantations on the site.
• "Muratsid" - a solution is prepared from the drug, which is sprayed on the plants. It takes three procedures to save the tree.

The best timing for processing an apple tree

Fruit trees need regular processing. These measures provide protection from pests, diseases, and also increase the quality and quantity of the crop.

The culture requires four treatments:

• Until the buds bloom. The first treatment is carried out in early spring, when the snow has just melted and the temperature is above zero. At this time, fungicidal solutions will be ideal. You should spray not only the tree, but also the soil around it.
• At the end of flowering. Ants start to become active after flowering, which is why it is so important to process the plant. For prevention, folk remedies in the form of yeast are suitable. All parts of the fruit tree are processed.
• During the ripening period of the fruit. During fruiting, do not use chemicals, they are harmful to apples. It is best to use the help of tobacco, laundry soap, yarrow. On their basis, tinctures are prepared.
• The final autumn treatment begins after all the leaves have fallen. It is held before the onset of cold weather. As a tool suitable industrial preparations - "Nitrofen", "Oleocobrite". It is quite possible to replace them with Bordeaux liquid, it is no less effective.

"Muravyin" is an effective and inexpensive tool that will help rid the area of ​​ants in a short time

Spraying frequency

Getting rid of ants in your garden is difficult. This process takes a lot of time and effort. How often to spray is indicated in the instructions. As a rule, chemical treatment does not need to be repeated, once is enough to remove the problem.

The use of folk remedies takes more time.But these funds have a significant advantage - they are absolutely safe both for humans when eating fruits and for the tree itself. The number of procedures will depend on the degree of damage, as well as on the number of insects.

Spraying times for different regions

As for the timing of the therapeutic and prophylactic spraying of garden crops and apple trees in particular, they do not particularly depend on the region of growing trees. The following factors must be taken into account during the procedure:

• concentration of the solution;
• the frequency of use of a particular agent;
• timing of events.

You need to start work not by a specific time or date, but by the phase in which the tree is. The following stages are distinguished:

• the period when the kidneys swell;
• bud set and flowering;
• the time when apples begin to form;
• ripening of fruits.

It is worth noting that in regions with warm climatic conditions, spring comes much earlier than in the North or the Urals. Accordingly, the pests wake up and become active earlier, therefore, the treatment is carried out already in March. In the middle lane, this schedule is shifted to a later date.

Each climatic zone has its own terms for processing horticultural crops, in the south, processing is carried out earlier, in the northern regions later

Ways to fight without chemistry

During fruiting, it is better to use products without harmful chemicals. At home, you can prepare a solution that includes the following components:

• carbolic acid - 2 tbsp. l .;
• kerosene - 10 tbsp. l .;
• black soap - 50 g.

Mix everything, spray the tree with the resulting liquid, and you need to process the branches, foliage and trunk. It is also important to shed the soil down to the roots. To get rid of insects, use clay mixed with wood resin in a dry form. The barrel is processed with the compound.

The use of yeast is also effective. The component, finding itself in the stomach of the insect, begins to ferment, and then causes severe intoxication. As a result, the pest dies.

You can roll up small balls of yeast and hang them on an apple tree - the ants will soon come for a "deadly treat"

Humane methods of struggle

There are other ways to control pests. You can take advantage of humane ant prevention measures. They are also presented in a variety, so you can choose the most suitable option for yourself.

Barrier method

The good thing about this method of struggle is that most of the barriers can be made by yourself. In addition, all options are absolutely harmless to apple trees.

Around the tree you need to dig a trench, lay polyethylene or a cut tire on the bottom, fill it with water. The ants simply cannot get to the apple tree.

Another option is to create a kind of foil skirt. A slippery base will be an excellent obstacle, it will prevent insects from climbing up the trunk.

Trapping belts

Trapping belts cope well with pests. To make them, you will need a piece of fabric, and the bait itself can be prepared from the following components:

• carbolic solution;
• grease;
• Birch tar;
• petrolatum.

With a damp cloth, wrap the bottom of the tree with the sticky side out. You need to change the bandage every three days or as it becomes full of insects.

Impregnation

A great way to keep ants out of trees is to soak the bark with special mixtures. The composition works best of all, which includes:

• linseed oil;
• salt;
• ash.

The components are mixed, the result should be a thick mass. It is applied in a thick layer to the barrel. The processing width must be at least 15 cm.

You can use a garlic soak. To do this, chop the garlic, apply it to a cloth, which is wrapped around the trunk.

Will help protect the tree from ants by treating the trunk of an apple tree with tar

Prophylaxis

As for preventive measures, they consist in planting repellent plants next to apple trees. The ants do not tolerate the aroma of some crops, so they are unlikely to settle in places with a frightening smell.

Pests especially do not like:

• cilantro;
• mint;
• marigold;
• garlic.

You can plant conifers, they are also not to the liking of ants. One tree on the site is enough for insects to leave this place forever.

Another easy way to get rid of pests is by introducing harmless brown ants. They will easily evict enemies from the site.

As you can see, there are different ways to help fix the problem. What exactly to choose - effective chemicals or gentle folk remedies, each summer resident decides for himself. But experts recommend using complex treatment.