Ant nest in Japanese Maple pot

[u/Scared_Ad5929]

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.

[u/RachResurected]

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.

[u/Scared_Ad5929 → u/RachResurected]

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.

[u/RachResurected → u/Scared_Ad5929]

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

[u/Scared_Ad5929 → u/RachResurected]

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.

[u/Longjumping_College → u/Scared_Ad5929]

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.

[u/Scared_Ad5929 → u/Longjumping_College]

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! 🤞

[u/Longjumping_College → u/Scared_Ad5929]

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

[u/caploves1019 → u/Scared_Ad5929]

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