Ants on runner beans

[pmc]

I`ve got ants on my runner beans. Do they do any damage? Also some clusters of black things on the underside of some leaves - any ideas?

[Kimbo]

I`ve got ants on my runner beans. Do they do any damage? Also some clusters of black things on the underside of some leaves - any ideas?

Sounds a bit like blackfly (which the ants "farm"), not sure if you get them on runner beans I know you get them on broad beans. I am trying my own garlic spray this year to see if I can get rid of them.

[Capsid]

Yes, they are blackfly which the ants milk for their sugar secretions. Best to remove the fly if you can as they can increase quite rapidly and distort the leaves.

[pmc]

What`s the best way to get rid of them. Does soapy water work & Kimbo how do you make your garlic spray?

[Kimbo]

What`s the best way to get rid of them. Does soapy water work & Kimbo how do you make your garlic spray?

Garlic Spray - 2 bulbs of garlic, separate and crush and put in a pan. Add 2 pints water and boil for 5 mins. Top up water to 2 pints. Let cool, strain and I then put it in a plant sprayer, top up with water and a couple of drops of washing up liquid to make it stick.

Not sure if it is going to work but is worth a go especially if you get them early.

[palborn]

I'm looking forward to trying your garlic spray as well kimbo as my broad beans have started being infested with aphids and ants & I want to get them before they do too much damage.

[Two_Sheds]

There's nothing quicker and more effective than just squishing the blackfly (and greenfly) between your fingers. Do it regularly because they multiply rapidly (they're born pregnant).

[palborn]

Is this also effective if the plants are covered in the black eggs? Will the garlic spray (or other methods) work on them or do you have to remove these by hand as well?

[lainey lou]

Do it regularly because they multiply rapidly (they're born pregnant).

Are they really born pregnant? How weird is that!!

[Mikey]

Soapy water for me, about a tablespoon per watering can. Do it over and again for a couple of days. Farming aphids, the ants do more than just collect the sugary secretions, they drive the good insects away, thus making your lovely runners a breeding ground for aphids.

You can also get a horticultural glue to stop the ants from climbing up the plants, I know this works for trees, don't know if its the same for runner beans, I can't see why not.

[Demeter]

We've got ants & black fliy on the broad beans.

On Sunday I sprayed them with my homemade stuff, went to check them today and the infestation was much reduced - sprayed them again and will keep doing it until the plants are clean again. Squished as many as I could but the blackfly are right in the nooks and crannies where it's hard to get them - and I'm a bit scared of being bitten by the ants too!

Homemade stuff - slightly random made-up recipe - fill the plant sprayer with hot water (just from the hot tap, not boiling), add 3-4 soapnut husks, break 2 garlic cloves in half and add them, leave to steep / cool, then spray. This makes about 1.5 to 2 litres. And today I just used the dregs from yesterday with more hot water, it was still just as garlicky and soapy as yesterday, if not more so.

I've heard you can use soapwort or horse chestnuts instead of soapnuts - so when my soapnuts run out I'm going to save on carbon and try using something local / native instead! (For my next blag, I'll be seeking out some wild soapwort to dig up or take cuttings from or something...)


PS we've got huge number of ants - we've found 4 or 5 nests at least, just on our little plot - any tips for persuading the little chaps to move on? They like to camp under the chicken house!

[rustylady]

Is this also effective if the plants are covered in the black eggs?

They're not actually eggs, they're immature blackfly, squash or spray them according to your inclinations.

[SlugLobber]

What a charming thread! The last time I grew runner beans I had a lot of black fly (well, they were black at any rate!). I simply saved my washing up water and used it to water the plants. Very effective and environmentally friendly, too.

I didn't know they were born pregnant. I suddenly feel sorry for the little beggars.

[ClayGarden]

Are they really born pregnant? How weird is that!!

Is this for real?!!! I'm having them on my tom plants.

[lottie dolly]

put some semolina were they are,the workers take it back to the nest,feed the queen,she cannot digest it,and bingo,bang she goes,so no more workers,and it works,type ANTS in the search,at the top right of page and see more ideas.