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Ants on my Vanda

13 years ago

I have a Vanda getting ready to to bloom and have ants running all over the buds. The first thing I thought was, "Are they there to help it open?"(like ants do to help force blooms on peonies). But a second look at these tiny black ants and I think they are a pestilence. Besides soap and water spray does anyone know of a safe way to rid them of my almost ready to bloom purple vanda? Thank you.

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Comments (2)

richardol
13 years ago
Put an ant stake in the basket. The ants bring aphids and mealybugs.
petite_orange
13 years ago
The ants are there because the buds and new growth excrete excess sugar (feel the buds, they will be sticky). You do want to evict them for the reasons that richardol gave, as well as the possibility of transmitting disease (fungal or viral) in their saliva.
A dusting of acephate will also do the trick. I am always reluctant to spray anything wet on buds or flowers.
Regards - Nancy
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