Find out if ant are supporter or foes to your peonies , plus how to bump off them before bringing cut peony bloom indoors .
Peter Krumhardt
Peonies are one of spring ’s most beloved efflorescence . They light up gardens with their plushy redolence and layer of frilly petal in shades from white to cryptic fuchsia . However , just as soon as the bud appear , so do the ants . If you spot ants on yourpeonies , do n’t panic — they are n’t harming your plant . In fact , they ’re helping . notice out why ants are attracted to peony buds , their authoritative role in works wellness , and what to do if you desire to bring blooms indoors without the emmet tagging along .
Credit:Peter Krumhardt
Barb Mrgichis a a Penn State Master Gardener from Adams County .
Bob Stefko
Why Ants Are Attracted to Peonies
Peony bud have what are called “ extrafloral nectaries”—tiny gland on the outside of a bud that secrete ambrosia , explain Barb Mrgich , a Penn State Master gardener from Adams County . Ants love the sugary substance , which is why you often see them teem the bud .
At first coup d’oeil , seeing so many ants on your peonies can be alarming . However , do n’t concern — they’re not stimulate any harm . “ It ’s perfectly normal , ” says Mrgich , “ they ’re not devil the plant . ” She assures that emmet wo n’t stamp out the peony , chew holes in the leaves , or damage the flowers . And despite what you may have heard , ants aren’tnecessary for peony buds to flower . They ’re just there for a sweet collation .
Natural Pest Control
Ants may be sop up to peony bud for the nectar , but they end up doing more than just feed . While they ’re there , they also helpprotect the works from peststhat can cause real damage — like thrips .
thrip are flyspeck insectsthat feed on plant sap , often damaging buds , leaves , and flowers , leaving them deform or discolored . However , ants are territorial with peony nectar and wo n’t tolerate other insects trying to nab it .
“ Peonies have some moderately bad enemies , like the thripid , which can kill a paeony , ” says Mrgich . “ The pismire will kill [ thrips] … because they ’re protecting their food origin . ” So , if you see ants on your peonies , think of them not as a pain but as tiny escort protecting your plants .
Credit:Bob Stefko
Ants Help Your Entire Garden
Ants are n’t just unspoiled for your peonies — they’re also of import for the wellness of your intact garden , order Mrgich . As they tunnel through the soil , they ameliorate soil aeration and drainage , which serve urine and O extend to works root . They also disperse seminal fluid , including those of native wild flower , and help oneself break down organic material , hotfoot up decomposition .
Because of the theatrical role they play in supporting other species , ants are believe important histrion in many ecosystem . In fact , in some environs , they ’re relegate as “ headstone species , ” which are organism that other species look on , and whose absence seizure would get the intact organisation to deepen . “We do n’t want to get rid of them because it would deflower the entire ecosystem , ” say Mrgich .
Avoid pesticides to assure ant on peonies because spraying can induce more problems than it solves . Pesticides often harm non - target pollinators and otherbeneficial insectsas well . This can interrupt the natural Libra the Scales of your garden , making next plague issues more likely .
Credit:Karla Conrad
Karla Conrad
How to Remove Ants Before Bringing Peonies Inside
While ant are helpful in your garden , you believably do n’t want them inside your home base , creep around your kitchen table . Luckily , there are a few round-eyed tricks forremoving antsfrom geld peony bloom before play them indoors :
Seeing ant on your peonies might startle you , but they ’re a preindication that nature is doing its Book of Job . The next meter you make out them on your peony buds , take a moment to appreciate the work they ’re doing . “ They ’re not hurting anything , ” says Mrgich . “ They ’re really protecting your plant from destructive pest — be glad when you see them . ”
