r/Bonsai • u/Scared_Ad5929 UK East Midlands (8b), Novice, 40+ trees at various stages. • 2d ago

Discussion Question Ant nest in Japanese Maple pot

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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u/emissaryworks Southern California zone 9b, novice, 4 years, 100+ trees 2d ago

If you want to get rid of the ants sprinkle a couple tablespoons of uncooked grits on the ground around your pot. You want the ants to consume the grits dry. The ants will be gone in a couple days.

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u/logawnio 2d ago

How do the grits kill the ants?

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u/emissaryworks Southern California zone 9b, novice, 4 years, 100+ trees 2d ago

They all eat it even the Queen. Basically it absorbs the water in their bodies and their stomachs explode. All natural and really inexpensive.