Ants on Beans

[kingschild]

This is the second year that I have planted a variety of yard long green beans, and both years they have attracted ants. The ants crawl all over them. Do you know if the ants can damage them? If so, what should I do to address the issue?

[jamireles]

My chinese noodle beans have always attracted the small black ants. I have never had a problem with them - the plants continued to produce lots of beans. If you see flowers forming, and then the beans coming shortly after, then I wouldn't worry.

If the flowers are just dropping off, and you're not getting any beans, then you might want to spray some garlic pepper tea as a deterrent.

[swd12422]

Can you tell me what GPT is? Do you make it or buy it? I have harvester ants decimating my herbs!

[jamireles]

Originally Posted by swd12422

Can you tell me what GPT is? Do you make it or buy it? I have harvester ants decimating my herbs!

Recipe for garlic pepper tea. Very easy to make. YOu'll need to reapply after a rain.

http://www.dirtdoctor.com/organic/ga...estion/id/204/

[kingschild]

Jamireles, thanks for your help. I apologize for my delayed response. My plants are still producing, but I noticed that not only are there ants, but also lots of aphids. Would the tea help with those too? I don't have any real damage so I may not have to use it at all.

[jamireles]

The tea might help, but I would first spray all the aphids off with blasts of water. Try and find some ladybugs and put them on the plants as well first (careful, the tea might repel ladybugs too). If there are no ladybugs, use the tea. You might need to remove the aphids every day with the water before applying the tea.

Just FYI - my beans are currently producing, and the ants are still there.