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Broad beans and black ants

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  • #1

    Broad beans and black ants

    Hi,
    I was down at my plot when I noticed little black marks on my broad beans. When I looked closer I found several black ants climbing amongst the top shoots.
    Are the ants doing any major problems and if so what can I do about it?
    Thanks
    sigpic
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  • #2
    That's a very common problem. The ants are probably farming blackfly. You might not see them yet, but the blackfly will be there somewhere. The ants are putting them up in the tender areas at the top of the broad bean plant where they draw out the sap, which is what the ants are after. The best treatment is to cut the tops off the plants.
    My blog: www.grow-veg.uk

    @Grow_Veg_UK

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    • #3
      Originally posted by WilliamD View Post
      The best treatment is to cut the tops off the plants.
      ... and squish any blackfly you can see

      and keep checking every few days because more will appear
      All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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      • #4
        There wasn't any sign of them yesterday. But will be going down again today to check.
        Thanks for the advice
        sigpic

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        • #5
          you won't believe how quickly they breed: in fact they're born pregnant

          Keep looking for them, if there are ants running up & down, then there are blackfly. The ants aren't doing it for exercise
          All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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          • #6
            Once the plants have flowered they will only put on leafy growth so take the tops out of all of them. That will help to prevent blackfly.
            Gardening requires a lot of water - most of it in the form of perspiration. Lou Erickson, critic and poet

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            • #7
              At the moment the broad beans seem to be in two minds wether to grow or not. Have some coming up as back up if this lot keel over. Just hoping that they pick up a bit.
              sigpic

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              • #8
                They'll be fine. Most broad bean growers get the ant / blackfly problem, nip the tops off, maybe do a bit of organic spraying too, and then get a great crop later. It's one of those things that's fairly easy to manage.
                My blog: www.grow-veg.uk

                @Grow_Veg_UK

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                • #9
                  I had terrible ant problems with my broad beans. In fact pulling out the broad beans was dangerous because the ants went mental when I started messing with THEIR plants.

                  They apparently don't like my overwintering plants - or maybe they aren't big enough yet to be prime targets. They also adore the comfrey so I have to chop that instead of pulling the leaves off.

                  I got masses of broad beans so didnt seem to hurt the crop.
                  Ali

                  My blog: feral007.com/countrylife/

                  Some days it's hardly worth chewing through the restraints!

                  One bit of old folklore wisdom says to plant tomatoes when the soil is warm enough to sit on with bare buttocks. In surburban areas, use the back of your wrist. Jackie French

                  Member of the Eastern Branch of the Darn Under Nutter's Club

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