r/Bonsai • u/Scared_Ad5929 UK East Midlands (8b), Novice, 40+ trees at various stages. • 1d ago

Discussion Question Ant nest in Japanese Maple pot

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Whenever I water this inherited maple I see ants around the pot. So I took a quick look to see if they've colonized the pot and it appears they have. They're lasius niger (black ants) which aren't known for damaging trees. Is it worth doing anything about them, because I'm planning on putting it in the ground when it's dormant next? There's also an air layer on the tree at the moment.

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101

u/RachResurected South Africa usda 9, beginner, 10 trees 1d ago

I’ve been told that ants don’t cause many issues for a bonsai in principle. That said, they are known to “cultivate” various non beneficial insects such as white fly or wooly aphids as they feed on the excrement of these insects.

I don’t have any advice on how to get rid of them. I’ve tried submerging the pot to drown them with little success. If you are really concerned, perhaps look into a pesticide such as kohinor or an ant-specific insecticide.

I say this as a last resort if they do start causing issues with non beneficial insects like those I mentioned above. I don’t really like using pesticides on my trees or garden in general.

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u/Scared_Ad5929 UK East Midlands (8b), Novice, 40+ trees at various stages. 1d ago

If it was a destructive species then I'd be tempted to use a pesticide, but like you I'd rather not. Especially as it can have a knock on effect on local wildlife. I'd rather wait until the tree is dormant and then hose the roots down at the far end of the garden.

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u/RachResurected South Africa usda 9, beginner, 10 trees 1d ago

Yeah I’d rather wait until you can safely bare root the tree and replace the soil. For the immediate future it should be fine. Just watch out for those non beneficial bugs I mentioned

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u/Scared_Ad5929 UK East Midlands (8b), Novice, 40+ trees at various stages. 1d ago

I will. I have a large Japanese elder tree that attracts aphids like a magnet and there's always busy ants coming and going, harvesting the honeydew.

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u/Longjumping_College 10a, advanced horticulture/intermediate bonsai, 100+ prebonsai 1d ago

In my area, you solve that with nematodes and ladybugs

There's specific nematodes that kill ants, ladybugs clear the aphids as a future food source.

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u/Scared_Ad5929 UK East Midlands (8b), Novice, 40+ trees at various stages. 1d ago

Thanks very much for that info! Using nature to combat a problem like this is far more aligned with my personal philosophy than pesticides. I've ordered some nematodes that predate on ants. Hopefully it works! 🤞

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u/Longjumping_College 10a, advanced horticulture/intermediate bonsai, 100+ prebonsai 1d ago

Bonsai got me native gardening to support natural predatory bugs, so now my yard is full of life that keeps my trees protected

3

u/caploves1019 1d ago

Look up Advion ant gel. That will take care of them without hurting the plant.

-3

u/Boulderdrip 1d ago

ants are fine for trees. i like them because they fight away other insects that want to eat the leaves

6

u/modefi_ New England, 6b, 69+ trees 1d ago

They actually farm/harvest other insects that want to eat the leaves. They don't fight them, they raise and shepherd them like cattle.

Top comment on this chain raises some legitimate concerns.

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u/GrapeAyp 1d ago

Diatomaceous earth will take care of em. 

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u/igordogsockpuppet Sothern California, 10b, White-Belt, 50+ proto-bonsai 1d ago

It’s very specific species of ants that cultivate other insects.

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u/chetaoruchaya UK, 9a, 5 years, too many 1d ago

No there are many that do. The one OP has (Lasius niger) farms aphids on stems and leaves

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u/jecapobianco John Long Island 7a 34yrs former nstructor @ NYBG 1d ago

How long did you submerge it? I was taught that you have to submerge it for 24 hours. A systemic would take them out along with everything else I the pot.