I have black ants running up and down my runner bean plants will their presence damage my runner bean crop?

Question

Thanks for your answer lawnsbyjimmy. I am actually in the UK and growing your own food is something we folks over here like to do. Plus it tastes much better than shop bought mass produced produce. I will try your recommendation about the lemony soapy water.....let you know how I get on.

Answer 1

Your crops should be fine as long as the ants do not nest in your root zone, then one can see a problem possibly developing. Soapy water usually does not work on ants. I take it the whole point of you growing the crop yourself is that you are trying to stay away from chemicals. ALL chemicals that are for sale in the US are governed at the federal level by the FDA and then at the state level by your state's Department Of Agriculture. So what? All chemicals that are labled for food have a harvest time on them. This is the minimum amount of days by Federal law one can wait after applying a insectide until they can harvest. The food is then considered by the FDA to be safe to eat. That is why I go to farmers markets and only bu produce at the grocery store that come from this country. Other countries are less strict on chemical application and harvest times. To find a chemical that would be good to use you can contact your local county extension office. If you cant find the number in the phone book then email the folks at your state's Department Of Agriculture for the number for your county. These folks are scients and help farmers, nurseries, and home owners, with questions just like this one for FREE everyday. Remember when using chemicals always wear the proper safety equipment and always follow the labeling on the bottle. These are not guidelines but are requirements set forth by Federal Law. So you still say no way to insecticide....you can try VERY soapy LEMON scented dish soap. I haven't had to much luck with ants with this but we actually got taught in college this trick. You take a old metal coffee container. Cut off both ends. Stick one end about 2-3 inches deep in the soil where insect infestation is expected and then you pour 1 to 2 gallons of soapy lemon scented water into the container that is implanted into the soil. About 80% of the kinds of insects that can be in your soil will not be able to stand the lemon soapy water for some reason and will swim up to the surface. Since you would be trying to weaken or destroy the ant infestation you could also try the soapy water in a aplicator. Depending how big your crop is you could buy one at Homwe Depot, online, or at your farmer or tractor supply store.

Answer 2

Some ants farm aphids on various plants for the sweet liquid produced by the aphids as they feed on the plant. Look for small white or green "lumps" on the underside of the leaves. If they are there, knock off as many as possible with a stout spray from a garden hose. Then control the ants. Ortho makes an effective dust which is sprinkled on the ground out of contact with the plant itself. The dust is taken by the worker ants to the nest where it kills the queen. Good luck.

Answer 3

yes,they can damage your crop!they are eating it!use sevin dust,sold at walmart!they even sell a sevin sprayer that hooks up to a water hose now!not only are they eating your crop,but alowing them to do so,they will build more and more homes where the crop is,making it almost impossible to get rid of them once they are homesteaded there!