Cherry Blossom under siege by ants

TP_CM

This happened last year as well. The leaves are becoming completely covered. If it's anything like last summer, all the leaves will be gone in 2 months.

Is there anything I can do about this?

Jim_Hodge

Don't look like ants to me.

Drench it with a spray of soapy water,

TP_CM

Jim_Hodge wrote: »

Don't look like ants to me.

Drench it with a spray of soapy water,

Whoops yes I think you're right. There are a lot of ants around the base of the tree and I just assumed it was them but these are darker.

Would the soapy water damage the tree no?

endacl

Black aphids. The ants feed off the honeydew they produce.

greasepalm

Aphid attack yes soapy water with a bit of vinegar or garlic sprayed every 7 - 10 days.

Ants are there for nectar from the aphids secretions.

The Continental Op

endacl wrote: »

Black aphids. The ants feed off the honeydew they produce.

Sometime the clever ba$tard ants actually move the aphids around so they can milk them and feed off the honeydew.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/controlling-aphids-and-ants.htm

SnowyMuckish

I’ve heard about that before, they’re actually ‘farming’ the aphids. As annoying as it is it’s pretty interesting!

TP_CM

That is absolutely crazy. I will definitely be taking a closer look at that tomorrow to see if I can see anything.

The Continental Op

SnowyMuckish wrote: »

I’ve heard about that before, they’re actually ‘farming’ the aphids. As annoying as it is it’s pretty interesting!

I've watched it happen in a greenhouse.