TBH anytime I see ants in my veggie garden I just grab some powdered cinnamon & they literally move on within 24 hrs. Plus, no harsh stuff on my veggies. Win-win 😁!!!
I agree, I've used harsh stuff on ants before & was very sketchy about eating anything from that area. Just offering another natural alternative that has worked for me.
It doesn't kill them by grinding. It kills them by drying them out. DE is very sharp microscopically. It has a static charge that causes it to cling to the bug. And it's also a desiccant which means it draws out moisture.
I had the same problem this year with my apple trees. I hosed the aphids off and rubbed a 4 inch high ring of petroleum jelly around the truck about 6 inches from the ground. The ants won't pass through the petroleum jelly so no more aphids ferried up the tree!
Do the aphids crawl up the trunk or are they laid on the leaves as an egg because I thought the ants go up there for the aphids and move them around to get the nectar how will it prevent aphids from being born on the leaves only only prevent ants from going up the tree I'm asking because I really want to know
Don't get DE in your eyes!! I know someone who got a puff that blew into their eyes and an eye doctor had to remove each shard, one by one, under microscopy! DE is my "go to" also.
I also use tangle foot on the base of my trees, veggie plants, okra plants, etc. It lasts for about 2 months and nothing can cross the barrier. I normally put it about 2-3” up the base just in case. And it’s organic.
Sadly apple trees are very prone to insects and are hard to grow without the strong insecticides used by commercial growers that don’t wash away when it rains😞
Growing up in NC- we did a big garden! We used 7- dust on the plants & hardly ever had a bug issue. Now of course times have changed- & we’re never sure what’s being “released” to counteract what we’re doing… but just saying- it worked! Year after year.
DE will kill any good guys that show up also though…so lady bugs/ lady beetles. I had a huge aphid infestation this year and luckily I had enough trap crops for them to eat while the lady bugs showed up and basically ate all of them in the span of 2 weeks. Even with ants there didn’t seem to be enough of them to ward of the lady bugs/beetles.
ants help other insects as well. BUT it would be better to get a worm bin and feed them coffee grounds and sterilized and pulverized eggshells, etc. The coffee becomes a better amino acid (protein and nitrogen source) than ammonia. The eggshells provide calcium. And the worms turn chitin into the enzyme chitinase which eats the exoskeletons of insects.
That’s why it’s always good to have rave a worm bin or 2 or more so you have the castings ready- or just use them all the time then there shouldn’t be a problem to start with.
No, only need to hose spray, high enough not to damage but will eliminate aphids..just check and spray as necessary..nothing else needed. I'm on well water and never use any pesticides for any of 1/3rd acre including raised garden beds, fruit trees rose garden and complete Japanese garden..
I spray a mix of dish soap and water. It breaks down the oily coating, allowing water to get in, and they drown. Ii think I will use the diametaceous earth on the soil around the plant.😊
@@fletcherreed3259They'll show up naturally too. Unforunately it takes longer than we would like. Ive taken a wait and see approach recently and it stinks to see any of my girls suffer but its taught me alot about how predation works. Species that attract predators will often attract the insects that prey upon those same pests. With that said i would still intervene if its a make or break infestation.
@@fletcherreed3259the ants will fight and kill off the ladybugs if they’re farming aphids interestingly enough. This method or cinnamon is probably good
I love using this. we try so hard not to use chemicals and sprays. and of course I'm careful with the diatomaceous earth so I try my best to use it in the Targeted way that won't harm pollinators. Diotemacious Earth and neem oil have saved my garden couple years in a row now.
@@TheMillennialGardener that's crazy to me lol I bought a house cpl years ago and just starting my journey of building garden. I never had aphid like this before and I tried everything lol I am def getting this for next year. Thank you so much!
My Home Depot is sorry AF, I went in there asking for this during the spring of 23 for my 1st time back yard gardening, they apparently never heard of it, don’t know where it is, and looked at me with the dummest expression. I had to purchase seven powder(don’t wanna use that next to my food), neem oil, and a different bug spray that says it’s organic (employee recommended all these)SMH 🤦♀️ And I asked 4 different people in the gardening section, and 1 on the inside bug section.
It has to be dry and fresh in order for it to get inside the joints of the ants. If it degrades from rain, humidity or moisture in general, it won’t work well.
That’s my issue. It is actually the ants. The problem is they’re those super tiny ants. I have never found a solution for them. I don’t know where they come from.
Read the instructions before you use diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth is a powder containing about 80%-90% silica. And also while diatomaceous earth is very useful against ants, it isn't very useful in rainy season😅
I love diatomaceous earth(food Grade) it has so many great uses! I was using it in my garden until I realized I was killing bees! It’s going to kill all bugs!!! I want to try lady bugs! And also I use neem oil and dish soap! The main thing now is these ANTS!
@@TheMillennialGardenerif you get lady bugs then they will eat the aphids before they can breed. So they'll eat the aphhids before the ants can get them to the place. As a modern gardener i hoped you would know the uses of working with nature and not against it.
Hi Remove the ants= NO APHIDS! Shalom to us only in Christ Yeshua PRINCE OF PEACE returning soon to reign over His Creation on The Throne of David from Jerusalem forever!
🪳🫧🔫🪳🫧🔫🪳🫧🔫🪳🫧🔫 I’ve had good results with spraying a fine mist of dish soap / essential oil /water mixture. I had aphids on my chives and scallions in planters. 🪴
Have to admit, it's actually pretty cool. The ANTS have turned that tree into a ranch, farming the land with grazers that produce food for them. Sound familiar?😂
TBH anytime I see ants in my veggie garden I just grab some powdered cinnamon & they literally move on within 24 hrs. Plus, no harsh stuff on my veggies. Win-win 😁!!!
DE isn't harsh.
DE is only harsh to insects. It's 100% natural.
I agree, I've used harsh stuff on ants before & was very sketchy about eating anything from that area. Just offering another natural alternative that has worked for me.
I've consumed food grade DE for year's. It's not harsh. Just don't inhale it.
Cinnamon works but you'll have to do it often. It doesn't work on red ants because they are " meat" eater ants.🫨😞
It doesn't kill them by grinding.
It kills them by drying them out.
DE is very sharp microscopically. It has a static charge that causes it to cling to the bug.
And it's also a desiccant which means it draws out moisture.
Thank you, I was about to leave a similar comment
I had the same problem this year with my apple trees. I hosed the aphids off and rubbed a 4 inch high ring of petroleum jelly around the truck about 6 inches from the ground. The ants won't pass through the petroleum jelly so no more aphids ferried up the tree!
I think I like this better as it doesn't indiscriminately kill all the insects that come into contact as DE does.
Diatomaceous earth is very dangerous to the lungs too. Must wear PPP
Do the aphids crawl up the trunk or are they laid on the leaves as an egg because I thought the ants go up there for the aphids and move them around to get the nectar how will it prevent aphids from being born on the leaves only only prevent ants from going up the tree I'm asking because I really want to know
Don't get DE in your eyes!! I know someone who got a puff that blew into their eyes and an eye doctor had to remove each shard, one by one, under microscopy!
DE is my "go to" also.
Or your lungs ❤️
@@toolman9081 that too.
new fear just unlocked
@@raitenoh nothing to be afraid of ❤️
Thank you.
Much more fun to buy Ladybug larvae every year and set them on the aphids. I can get them at my local feed and organic gardening supplier.
DE is a temporary fix. The reason why aphids are attracted to that tree and none other is the tree is stressed.
I also use tangle foot on the base of my trees, veggie plants, okra plants, etc. It lasts for about 2 months and nothing can cross the barrier. I normally put it about 2-3” up the base just in case. And it’s organic.
Agreed however It will pay out more than ever. Plenty crawlers out there.
Sadly apple trees are very prone to insects and are hard to grow without the strong insecticides used by commercial growers that don’t wash away when it rains😞
Easy now. With plenty alternatives. Support your local libraries
Growing up in NC- we did a big garden! We used 7- dust on the plants & hardly ever had a bug issue. Now of course times have changed- & we’re never sure what’s being “released” to counteract what we’re doing… but just saying- it worked! Year after year.
DE will kill any good guys that show up also though…so lady bugs/ lady beetles. I had a huge aphid infestation this year and luckily I had enough trap crops for them to eat while the lady bugs showed up and basically ate all of them in the span of 2 weeks. Even with ants there didn’t seem to be enough of them to ward of the lady bugs/beetles.
I’m in Arizona , I don’t see lady bugs any more wounder if I got some would they die, same thing with worms
Love all of the great tips! Thanks
You're welcome!
ants help other insects as well.
BUT it would be better to get a worm bin and feed them coffee grounds and sterilized and pulverized eggshells, etc. The coffee becomes a better amino acid (protein and nitrogen source) than ammonia. The eggshells provide calcium. And the worms turn chitin into the enzyme chitinase which eats the exoskeletons of insects.
That’s why it’s always good to have rave a worm bin or 2 or more so you have the castings ready- or just use them all the time then there shouldn’t be a problem to start with.
Have you ever done a video about espaliering your trees? I'd love to see it. Considering doing it for a pear tree.
Yes, also would love to see more about esp..
No, only need to hose spray, high enough not to damage but will eliminate aphids..just check and spray as necessary..nothing else needed. I'm on well water and never use any pesticides for any of 1/3rd acre including raised garden beds, fruit trees rose garden and complete Japanese garden..
I use apple cider vinegat, water and dish washing liquid, so far it works for me, just don't spray in the sun, only sundown ❤
Oh, I use pyrethrin. It kills all the aphids, but the ants just carry new ones up the tree. It’s a farming operation. The problem is the ants.
@@TheMillennialGardenerthat’s good to know. I been thinking of starting grow a vegetable garden.
Great to know! Thanks for this tip.
You're welcome!
I live in Arizona, we don't have apple trees to have that problem anymore 😂🤦🏼♀️ This summer has been brutal.
I spray a mix of dish soap and water. It breaks down the oily coating, allowing water to get in, and they drown. Ii think I will use the diametaceous earth on the soil around the plant.😊
Thank you. My peppers been invaded by these creepy crawlers
Order some ladybugs. They basically only eat aphids, they do not eat any plants.
@@fletcherreed3259They'll show up naturally too. Unforunately it takes longer than we would like. Ive taken a wait and see approach recently and it stinks to see any of my girls suffer but its taught me alot about how predation works. Species that attract predators will often attract the insects that prey upon those same pests. With that said i would still intervene if its a make or break infestation.
@@fletcherreed3259the ants will fight and kill off the ladybugs if they’re farming aphids interestingly enough. This method or cinnamon is probably good
Yes it works! I also use it around the base of my house for crickets!
I love using this. we try so hard not to use chemicals and sprays. and of course I'm careful with the diatomaceous earth so I try my best to use it in the Targeted way that won't harm pollinators. Diotemacious Earth and neem oil have saved my garden couple years in a row now.
The aphids have been horrible this year! And so, because of that, have the ants!
Maybe put up hummingbird feeder ..confuse ants..
Put up hummingbird feeders..confuse ants..1C water to 1/4C sugar right solution
Good to know 💡
Thank you 🌱
You're welcome!
I use a large makeup brush to apply DE to my plants. Seriously works so well.
Also a inside out tape on the bottom off the stem will stop the ants
Thanks!
Works on odiferous house ants too. They were on my catio to eat the cat food, so I put some on the rug under the bowl and no more ants. 🐜🐈🐜
Even easier. Spray with water mixed with dish soap.
100% effective, doesn’t harm the plant.
This product is Clearly safe to use on food u want to eat? I have a bad aphid and ant problem in my yard. This looks like a great product!
It's just rock dust.
@@TheMillennialGardener that's crazy to me lol I bought a house cpl years ago and just starting my journey of building garden. I never had aphid like this before and I tried everything lol I am def getting this for next year. Thank you so much!
Good to know! I use DE to filter my pool water, so I always have it on hand
You need to use food grade. The pool DE is poisonous.
Are there beneficial insects that are hosted the apple tree? I live in the South. Apple tress do not grow here, sadly.
Lady bugs and green spiders love hanging in our apple trees here in cental sweden
I'll have to tell that to the owners of a local apple orchard in South Carolina
Isn’t Neem Oil better than this less messy? Curious
We use neem oil with little bit of shampoo with 10ml neem oil in 1 liter water and spray through the plant.. in couple of days it will be gone
thank you thor
Anyone else channel their inner Zefrank and say "honeyderw"
My Home Depot is sorry AF, I went in there asking for this during the spring of 23 for my 1st time back yard gardening, they apparently never heard of it, don’t know where it is, and looked at me with the dummest expression.
I had to purchase seven powder(don’t wanna use that next to my food), neem oil, and a different bug spray that says it’s organic (employee recommended all these)SMH 🤦♀️
And I asked 4 different people in the gardening section, and 1 on the inside bug section.
They make DE dusters for applying DE.
I agree
Is this safe on a tree with actual apples on it? I mean, is it dangerous to eat the fruit?
There's food-safe DE.
I put this on and around my cucumber plant but is it killing the bees??
It kills all bugs that come in contact.
Thank you, I have those aphids on cabbages
You're welcome!
If you get a puffer for the DE you can get the under side easy faith full coverage
Be very careful not to inhale the diatomaceous earth!
Is there any benefit that DE gives you over using just soap and water to take out aphids?
They are two different things. Soap and water is used to remove aphids. DE is used to prevent them.
@@TheMillennialGardener ah okay i knew both were used on aphids. I may give DE a try as ants destroyed my Okra this season
Real true best way is use neem oil to get rid of the aphid on the leaves then use diatomaceous earth after the neem oil has dried
when ever i see aphids i always start looking for the eggs and larvae stage of ladybugs, natures aphid control squad.
Get some Lady bugs. They basically only eat aphids
Damn the ants even find ways to work things out with opposite species crazy humans still haven't done so within their own species
I thought diatomaceous earth clogged their breathing apparatus, not abraded it to death.
I don’t understand about the DE killing ants. Its never work on my ants.
It has to be dry and fresh in order for it to get inside the joints of the ants. If it degrades from rain, humidity or moisture in general, it won’t work well.
@@TheMillennialGardener Doesn't work. Tried many times. They all disappear but they keep coming back.
I also use DE. Thanks for the video 😊
I use DE inside my home and it works. I don't use it outside simply because it kills all insects it comes in contact with, and I don't care for that.
I found if I have aphids than I have an ant problem. I hate ants.
That’s my issue. It is actually the ants. The problem is they’re those super tiny ants. I have never found a solution for them. I don’t know where they come from.
Does kaolin clay not work against aphid???
Anything friendlier to worms than DE?
I use D. earth BUT I find that lady bugs work well.
Read the instructions before you use diatomaceous earth.
Diatomaceous earth is a powder containing about 80%-90% silica.
And also while diatomaceous earth is very useful against ants, it isn't very useful in rainy season😅
Isnt that a pesticide full of chemicals?
No. It is basically rock dust.
I love diatomaceous earth(food Grade) it has so many great uses! I was using it in my garden until I realized I was killing bees! It’s going to kill all bugs!!! I want to try lady bugs! And also I use neem oil and dish soap! The main thing now is these ANTS!
If you have a pool the runs diatomaceous reuse it after you clean the filter.
Imbalance of nitrogen. Aphids are nature's way of "sucking off" excess nitrogen.
The ants are farming the aphids. They are not finding their way onto the trees naturally. This is an ant problem, not an aphid problem, in this case.
@@TheMillennialGardenerif you get lady bugs then they will eat the aphids before they can breed. So they'll eat the aphhids before the ants can get them to the place. As a modern gardener i hoped you would know the uses of working with nature and not against it.
Lady bugs baby 😎
Get a poweder applicator and it will be easy to puff all over things
It's not necessary, especially when it's only used a few times a year. We don't need more single-use appliance clutter 😂
@TheMillennialGardener uderstandable lol
The tree does not want to be espaliered
Hose it that all
Do NOT breathe it in. Great to wear a mask. Just in case the wind blows. It is sharp in your lungs.
DE is great for bug control. Wear a mask with that stuff, can shred your lungs too.
I left aphids on a plant that I really wanted to spray off and a week later ladybugs appeared.. and then I spotted some nymphs ..bye-bye aphids🎉
LADY BUGS.
Hi
Remove the ants= NO APHIDS!
Shalom to us only in Christ Yeshua PRINCE OF PEACE returning soon to reign over His Creation on The Throne of David from Jerusalem forever!
🪳🫧🔫🪳🫧🔫🪳🫧🔫🪳🫧🔫
I’ve had good results with spraying a fine mist of dish soap / essential oil /water mixture. I had aphids on my chives and scallions in planters. 🪴
Have to admit, it's actually pretty cool. The ANTS have turned that tree into a ranch, farming the land with grazers that produce food for them. Sound familiar?😂