Peonies are one of the most popular garden flowers, with big, beautiful blooms in shades of pink, crimson and white. But for all their beauty, peonies can suffer from a nasty ant problem. Ants can get inside the blooms and devour the flowers, leaving you with an unwelcome surprise when you go to pick them. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to keep ants away from your beloved peonies.
The first thing to consider when dealing with ants on peonies is prevention. Keeping them away in the first place is always the best approach. Make sure the area around your peonies is regularly cleaned up and any food sources, such as spilled birdseed, are removed. Also, you can use sticky ant baits or ant repellents to keep the pests away from the flowers.
If you do find ants in your peony blooms, the next step is to get rid of them. One of the most popular solutions is spraying the flowers with a non-toxic, ant-killing insecticide. Insecticides that contain spinosad, carbamates, and pyrethroids, or any combination of these compounds, are safe for use on peonies and are effective at killing ants. You may also consider using a biological pesticide, such as Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki, commonly referred to as Btk, as a safe, organic alternative.
When using insecticides, it is important to follow all label instructions carefully. Make sure to protect yourself and your family by avoiding breathing any of the mist, and wear gloves and protective eyewear when spraying. Also, it is important not to spray too close to the buds, as too much of the product will kill the buds and prevent them from opening into beautiful blooms.
In addition to using insecticides, other methods of ant control on peonies can include planting companion plants, such as chives and garlic, which have ant-repelling properties. You can also sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the plants. This is made from fossilized micro-organisms and, when dry, forms a barrier that is hazardous for ants to crawl over.
Of course, it is also important to remember that ants are beneficial insects and can play an important role in the garden. They help aerate and improve the soil, and increase the populations of beneficial insects such as ladybugs and parasitic wasps. All of these beneficial insects help to keep the populations of more destructive insects, such as aphids and scale, in check.
DIY Ant Sprays
Another approach to deterring ants on peonies is to make an all-natural, DIY ant spray. To make your own spray, mix two parts white or apple cider vinegar with one part water in a spray bottle and spray it directly onto the ants and onto the stems of the peonies. This DIY solution is both gentle and effective, and will not harm the blooms.
You can also make a DIY spray using other natural ingredients, such as citrus fruits or essential oils. For a citrus spray, dissolve one cup of citrus juice into a litre of water, then pour it into a spray bottle. The acidic nature of the citrus juice will help to repel the ants. For an essential oil spray, mix 10 to 15 drops of an essential oil, such as peppermint, lemongrass, or cedarwood, into a litre of warm water, then add to a spray bottle. These natural oils have insect-repelling properties that can help to keep ants away from the peonies.
Insecticidal Soap
Insecticidal soaps are another solution for getting rid of ants on peonies. Insecticidal soaps are a type of non-toxic, water-soluble insecticide that use fatty acid salts to kill soft-bodied, non-beneficial insects, like ants. To use insecticidal soap, mix two tablespoons of insecticidal soap with one litre of warm water and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Then, spray the mixture directly onto the ants and onto the stems of the peonies.
When using insecticidal soaps, it is important to be mindful of the peony buds. Make sure to avoid spraying the buds, as too much of the soap solution can damage them, preventing the buds from opening into beautiful blooms. Also, insecticidal soaps are most effective when they are sprayed directly onto the pests, so it is important to be meticulous when spraying.
Conclusion
There are many different approaches to keeping ants away from your peonies, including preventative steps, insecticides, DIY sprays and insecticidal soaps. While it is important to keep ants away from your peonies, it is also important to remember that ants are beneficial to the garden and play an important role in the natural cycle. Hopefully, with these tips and tricks, you will be able to keep your peonies beautiful and free from ants.
Essential Oils
Essential oils can also be used to keep ants away from peonies. Many essential oils, such as peppermint, lemongrass, tea tree, and lavender, have insect-repelling properties which can help to keep ants away from plants. To apply essential oils, mix five drops of your chosen oil into a litre of warm water, then add it to a spray bottle. Then, spray the solution onto the stems of your peonies and onto the ants, if you spot them. Reapply every few days as needed.
When using essential oils, it is important to be careful. Essential oils are very concentrated, so make sure to dilute them in water before spraying. Also, make sure to avoid spraying the buds of your peony, as too much of the essential oil solution can damage them, preventing the buds from opening into blooms.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is another natural pest control solution for your peony garden. Diatomaceous earth is made from fossilized micro-organisms and, when dry, forms a barrier that is hazardous for ants to crawl over. To use diatomaceous earth, sprinkle a thin layer of the powder around the peony plants, making sure to get it on the undersides of the leaves. Reapply every few days, or as needed.
When using diatomaceous earth, it is important to read and follow all usage instructions on the packaging. Some diatomaceous earth products are not safe to use around flowering plants, so make sure to check the label before using. Also, the powder is hazardous to breathe, so make sure to protect your eyes, nose and mouth when applying it.
Companion Planting
Companion planting is another effective way to keep ants away from your peonies. Certain plants, such as chives, garlic, and basil, have ant-repelling properties. Planting these types of plants in close proximity to your peonies can help to keep the ants away from the flowers. Additionally, having companion plants around the flowers can help to feed beneficial insects and provide a habitat for them to live in, helping to create a healthy ecosystem.
It is important to remember, however, that companion plants should not be planted too close to the peonies. Planting them too close can cause them to compete with the peonies for soil nutrients and water, which can stunt their growth. The companion plants should be planted at least one foot away from the peonies, and more if the plants are the same height.
