How to get rid of ants on an apple tree: the best methods of control

In the wild, ants are certainly considered beneficial insects. They rid flora of countless pests, doing so 20 times more effectively than birds. They also pollinate flowers, loosen the soil, and promote the propagation of various plants. But in the garden, these beneficial insects become a real scourge for fruit-bearing trees.

Symptoms of pest infestation

An ant infestation on an apple tree can not only damage the fruit and leaves but even lead to the death of young trees. Of course, these insects don't eat the entire fruit, but simply gnaw small holes to feast on the sweet pulp. However, fungal infections can easily penetrate these bites, damaging the entire apple. The discovery of these "wounds" is a sign that the tree has been infested by garden pests.

Young buds, which emit a sweet aroma, are another target for ants. The insects gnaw at them, destroying the tree's primary growth points.

Ants can damage old apple trees by making their nests in them. They gnaw on the decayed wood, mixing it with their saliva. The resulting product is used as building material. This creates numerous passages, galleries, exits, and chambers in the apple tree, leading underground in tunnels and shafts. If the summer is marked by significant rainfall, ants can penetrate the ant structures inside the trunk. fungus, which prefers a damp environment. This, in turn, can lead to wood rot.

Apart from mechanical damage, ants cause no other harm to apple trees. However, these insects have another weakness, the consequences of which can be truly devastating to the tree. These plant nurses are particularly fond of the sticky, sweet secretions produced by one of the most dangerous enemies of greenery – aphids.

If this harmful insect is suddenly discovered on the surface of the apple tree leaves, it can be said with certainty that the tree has already become a habitat for ants.

Having found the colony aphidsThe plant's orderlies take it under their wing, carefully tending it and protecting it from attacks by other insects. In the spring, anthills that open up deliver larvae of the garden pest to young plant leaves, increasing their numbers and expanding their habitat.

The damage aphids cause to apple trees is hard to overestimate. They not only smother the stomata of the leaves, blocking the natural respiration process, but also destroy the foliage by sucking out its sap. This, in turn, leads to the drying and curling of the foliage, which eventually develops a rash. web, in which aphid larvae live and develop.

And the last symptom signaling that the apple tree has been occupied by ants may be black “paths” of insects scurrying up and down.

What do ants look like?

The garden ant is one of the most common species of these insects, found in fruit orchards. It looks like this:

3-segmented body with clearly defined abdomen and head;
body covered with small hairs and long antennae;
three pairs of nimble paws;
black or dark brown color.

During the mating season, both male and female insects develop wings, which in some cases is considered the emergence of a new species. However, this transformation is temporary.

Spread of the pest

The reason ants appear and spread in garden plots is their search for food. Fruit trees are an ideal source of food for all the inhabitants of the nest. Since ants colonize in the spring, they can spread throughout the apple orchard due to:

the presence of last year's waste of plant origin;
natural fertilizer mixtures on tree roots;
insects and seeds remaining from the previous season under the bark of apple trees;
the attention-grabbing aroma of buds and buds.

Depending on the habitat, anthills can be found:

in the soil;
in hollows;
under stones and branches;

in rotten wood;
under the foundation of the house.

Life cycle of an insect

The garden ant's complete metamorphosis cycle consists of four distinct stages. Development occurs over the course of 30 days:

egg -> larva -> pupa -> imago (adult insect).

The general life cycle of this garden pest, according to genetic factors, is determined to be three years. However, in real life, the anthill is renewed much more frequently – once a year.

None of the stages of development of the garden pest, except for the adult insect, harms apple trees.

Are there apple tree varieties that ants are not interested in?

The problem of ants and their attendant aphids is a pressing concern for all gardeners. Therefore, professional breeders are tasked with developing apple varieties that will not attract these insects.

Currently, there isn't a single variety of these fruit trees that isn't attacked by ants. After all, pests are attracted to apple trees by a multitude of factors, and eliminating them would fundamentally alter the characteristics of the entire tree family, which are so prized by consumers.

Methods for controlling ants on apple trees

Ant infestations on apple trees are a common problem. Therefore, there are a wide variety of methods for combating them. Proven methods include:

treatment with chemical and biological preparations;
prevention and protection;
installation of repellents and traps;
folk remedies;
mechanical processing.

Drugs for control

Ant infestations on apple trees cause a great deal of inconvenience and problems for gardeners. Therefore, any method that produces positive results in the shortest possible time is acceptable. Store-bought chemicals will help get rid of ants as effectively as possible. These include:

«Aktara" is a complex action drug that destroys not only ants, but also the pests that accompany them. aphidsThe solution is prepared by mixing 2 ml of the product with 10 liters of water. The effect of spraying occurs within 24 hours.
«Battalion commander" – is presented in the form of a gel and aerosol, which have a paralyzing effect.
«Murav'in" - granules of the preparation are scattered around the apple trees at a rate of 3 kg per 1 m².
«Muratsid" – the product is used to water the soil around apple trees and anthills. One ml of the product is required per 10 liters of water. Insects will be destroyed within three days after treatment.
«Raptor" – insecticidal aerosol and gel.

The chemicals "Muracid" and "Muravin" can cause significant harm to the health of apple trees, so when using them, care must be taken to ensure that the solutions and granules do not come into contact with leaves, branches, trunks, and fruits.

Technology for processing and protecting trees from pests

Treating and protecting apple trees from garden pests involves a series of technological steps aimed at eradicating them. Saving the trees is also impossible without preventative measures.

The set of actions includes:

treatment with chemical or biological preparations;
preventative installation of barriers and traps;
additional treatment with folk remedies;
mechanical cleaning;
agrotechnical measures;
planting repellent plants.

The best time to treat apple trees

Treating apple trees is an important part of agricultural practices aimed at protecting the orchard from pests and increasing future harvests. Professional gardeners recommend spraying in four stages.

Before the buds open

Based on the characteristics of the apple tree varieties prevalent in the garden, the best time for the first seasonal treatment is selected. This typically occurs when the snow has melted, the air temperature has settled above 5°C (41°F), and the buds on the branches have not yet swollen. Treatment is carried out with a tank mix of insecticides and fungicides. Irrigate not only the apple trees themselves but also the soil around them.

After flowering is complete

The second stage of treating apple trees for ant infestations occurs after flowering. At this point, the young buds are about the size of a pea.

This type of spraying is carried out over the entire tree – branches, foliage and the trunk circle.

During the period of fruit ripening

Ants are most active during the fruit ripening period. Apples are just beginning to appear, and the insects eagerly introduce them into the colony's diet.

However, during this period, selecting treatments becomes challenging, as fungicides and insecticides can cause significant harm to human health. Their use at this stage is contraindicated.

Therefore, during the fruit ripening period, it is recommended to use folk remedies that are safe for humans. You can treat apple trees as follows:

a solution of linseed oil and soda (5 g oil, 30 g soda, 1 l water);
tobacco and laundry soap (ingredients in a 1:1 ratio are diluted in 10 liters of liquid);
yarrow infusion (700 g of raw material per 10 liters of boiling water, infuse for 3 days).

Final autumn processing

The final treatment of apple trees against ant infestations is carried out in the fall after leaf fall, when the trees enter dormancy. However, to ensure compliance and maximize benefits, it's important to complete the treatment before the first night frosts. Spray with Bordeaux mixture or a solution. copper sulfateOf the industrial preparations, "Oleokuprit" or "Nitrofen" are suitable.

In the fall, after harvest, you can not only spray with insecticides, but also use mechanical pest control methods. For example, if ants have created a hollow If you are considering apple trees as your home, it is recommended to fill the hole with a powdered or granular preparation, and after the insects have died, clean, disinfect, and seal it.

Spraying frequency

Getting rid of ants is a long and labor-intensive process. The frequency of treatments is adjusted according to the instructions. The most effective industrial chemical treatments do not require repeated treatments. After all, they work by infecting the entire colony through the infection of individual ants.

Folk remedies, which pose a lower risk to the human body, require additional preventative treatments. The frequency of these treatments depends on the severity of the infestation and the prevalence of the pests.

When using chemical treatments, it is necessary to strictly follow the instructions included with the product in order to avoid harming fruit trees.

Spraying times for different regions

The timing of curative and preventative treatments for apple trees, as well as the range of medications and folk remedies used, vary slightly depending on the climate zone in which the apple orchards are located. There are only two key differences:

the start date of the work and the frequency of repeated use;
concentration of the substances used.

Warm southern regions are characterized by an earlier spring and, consequently, more intense pest activity. These conditions require adjustments to the apple tree treatment schedule, shifting the first stages of pest control to earlier dates.

This is why most gardening calendars link the stages of work not to specific calendar dates, but to the phases of apple tree development. These are:

swelling of the kidneys;
bloom;
fruit formation;
ripening of apples.

If the instructions for use of an industrial product indicate calendar dates, you should check for which region or climate zone it is applicable.

In warmer regions, it is recommended to increase the dosage of ant treatments for apple trees. This is because pest development is more intense at significantly different temperatures.

Methods of control without chemicals

To combat apple tree pests, both industrial pesticides and chemical-free solutions are successfully used. The most effective folk remedies include:

Kerosene with carbolic acid – the principle of action is to repel and destroy ants. Dissolve 2 tablespoons of acid, 400 g of black soap, and 10 tablespoons of kerosene in 10 liters of water. Treat trees with the solution and spray it on anthills.
Coating the trunks with a mixture of clay and wood resin powder.

When fighting garden ants, it is important to remember their close connection with the presence of aphids on plants and to select methods aimed at comprehensive destruction.

Humane methods of control

In addition to the physical destruction of insects, more humane preventative measures can be used.

Barrier method

This method will help repel the pest in a short time. You just need to choose the most suitable option:

A trench is dug along the path to the tree. A cut tire is placed in it and filled with water. Ants can't swim, so the obstacle will become an insurmountable barrier for them.
Crushed chalk is sprinkled thickly around the tree trunk and rubbed onto the tree itself. The white powder sticks to the insects' legs, depriving them of grip and reducing their speed. This prevents them from climbing up to the leaves and fruit.
A foil "skirt" is placed on the tree; its slippery surface becomes an insurmountable obstacle for the pest. If it is additionally coated with sunflower oil, the ant's sensitive olfactory receptors will be completely overwhelmed by the attack, forcing it to abandon the potential feeding area.

Trapping belts

This technique involves using improvised means such as cotton wool or Vaseline. It works as follows:

Cotton wool is soaked in a carbolic solution and wrapped around the trunk, securing it securely. The treatment lasts for three days, and can be repeated up to five times during the summer.
The apple tree trunk is wrapped with wide double-sided tape. By sticking to the tape's working area, the ants will quickly recognize the potential danger and leave the tree.
A strap should be cut from a suitable material, coated with grease on one side, and secured to the apple tree. Birch tar or resin, the aromas of which ants dislike, can also be used.
Attach a clothesline to the trunk 20 cm above the ground and coat it thoroughly with Vaseline. It should not be removed after the ants are defeated, but left in place as a preventative measure.

These effective, humane methods will keep pests away from your fruit trees for a long time.

Impregnation

You can protect your trees by treating the bark with apple tree-safe products. The following have gained popularity in this area:

a thick mixture of soot, linseed oil and salt - it is recommended to apply it in a thick layer, covering an area up to 15 cm wide;
a solution of medium concentration of bleach will protect apple trees from ant and aphid attacks;
A universal garlic impregnation will protect trees not only from ants, but also from other garden pests – simply rub the bark and branches with the crushed paste (for young trees, a liquid infusion of garlic greens is more suitable).

Prevention

So that the ants and their companions aphid To prevent them from settling on your apple tree, you can use a simple preventative measure: plant herbs whose aromas these insects cannot tolerate. You can also hang bunches of these plants from the branches.

Repellent plants:

lavender;
fennel;
dill;
parsley;
basil;

cilantro;
garlic;
mint;
marigold.

Ants can't stand the smell of conifers. Therefore, simply introducing one member of this family into your garden will permanently repel these pesky visitors.