skip to main content

Ants living in potted orchids

16 years ago

I am transplanting my orchids which are all outside.There are swamms of ants in some of the pots. These are pots that have been recently transplanted with new orchid mix! Will the ants hurt the plants or are they benign? My instinct is that eventually they will not be healthy for the orchids. How should I go about getting rid of them and how can I prevent them from infesting again?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

organic_kermit
16 years ago
You should run "Ants" through the search engine thing below. This topic has come up alot lately.
richardol
16 years ago
The ants are a problem for two reasons. First, they get highly offended when you put water in "their" pot. Second, they graze aphids and scale on the leaves.

Sprinkle any artificial sweetener containing Aspartame on the damp surface of the medium.
Related Discussions
Ants nesting IN my orchid pot media
Q
Comments (13)
The previous post needs to be ignored. No doubt there are quality symbiotic ant/plant relationships. The article goes on about the varied plant life that enjoy ants. But there is nothing about the fact that not any ant species is a friend. Some are neither friend or foe and could be neutral. But there are ants that will cause tremendous damage. I've been invaded by several species of invasive non domestic ants. White footed asian, Bahamian crazy ants and others. Came here through the port of Miami. Around 100 miles away. Some ants are excellent farmers. They bring immobile sucking bugs then eat the secretions. Very harmful to the orchids and a lot more. The right ants in the right place are fine. But in this modern world of rapid cargo transportation, invasive and harmful plants, animals, and bugs is a big problem getting bigger.
...See More
Why do ants live in potted plants? Or is it just me
Q
Comments (5)
I have one of those 3x3 city pickers (like an earth box) raised beds on wheels on my porch. One day to my surprise I noticed that it was infested with ants. And it continues to have a colony there that bit me pretty good tonight when I was harvesting the mint and oregano. Anyway -- in my limited experience, the ant infestation tends to coincide with the arrival of aphids. So inspect your potted plant and see if you have other unwanted guests. Once the aphids go away the ants will likely go away too. They have a mutually beneficial relationship. The ants protected the aphids and the aphids secrete sweet fluid for the ants.
...See More
Can orchid live in pots without side holes?
Q
Comments (4)
It would die at my house. I have a very few plants that need special or different culture than the rest. It takes no extra time to add another orchid but it is tough to find the space. I water every day but my plants are set to not retain much water. Each plant takes a few seconds. A plant with max water retention would gum up the works...If you intend to make your collection large it too may get lost in the shuffle. Orchids are tough. If you are careful it could thrive...
...See More
HELP! small black ants in my indoor orchid pots, can't get rid of 'em!
Q
Comments (10)
The house has ants. We've had them in various rooms over the years. Seems we get rid of them in one room and they return in a different room. I followed the trail from the infested pot to the glass deck door where my setup is. Some of the plants were outside but have been inside since October and that particular phal has never been outside. In this case I believe my house gave my plant ants! I've had bait out for a month but I think I have to change brands. I was about to use orthene but the smell was too noxious for me so I sprayed with orange guard. The ants moved to a different pot! Grrr
...See More
clintdawley
16 years ago
Richard,

Aspartame kills ants? Sheesh, I need to lay off the Diet Coke.
richardol
16 years ago
It works for ants and it is "safe" for pets and children, at least according to the FDA.
brilesez
Original Author
16 years ago
I personally dont touch the stuff but would gladly let the ants partake at will. What an interesting suggestion. At this point I am replanting with new medium and if the criters come back I am going to try the Aspertane remedy. Thanks for the idea. As for the search I looked at all the postings but dont want to use anything like chemical ant killers unless I get desperate. Thank you for the suggestions, really helpful.
organic_kermit
16 years ago
Peppermint oil kills them too. Just don't put it in your pots, pour it on the mounds around them.
garyfla_gw
16 years ago
Hi
What kind of ants?? have been fighting them for 30 years
and I still have ants lol. Only ones I worry about are Fire and Carpenter ants.. Mostly because they bite lol.
carpenter ,White footed and sugar ants are drawn to orchids like magnets . Don't seem to do any real harm but try the suggestions.
Check carefully for termites also. Carpenters often cohabitate with them. I declared the ants a winner in my battle many years ago.lol
gary
mark15
16 years ago
I agree with richard, I've found that where there are spider mites and scale there are also ANTS, I think that they bring them along so they can exploit your plants

Related Stories

HOUSEPLANTS How to Grow Orchids Indoors

By Marianne Lipanovich

Orchids are the exotic aristocrats of the flower world and can make themselves comfortable in almost any home

HOUSEPLANTS Orchids 101: How to Keep Your Moth Orchids Alive and Blooming

By Marianne Lipanovich

Growing Phalaenopsis — and getting it to flower again — is easier than you might think

HOUSEPLANTS Orchids 101: Slipper Orchid Success

By Marianne Lipanovich

If you don’t already love Paphiopedilums, learning how to grow them with ease might change your mind

FLOWERS Orchids 101: Cymbidiums Add Beauty Indoors and Out

By Marianne Lipanovich

Their large, long-lasting flowers give them a place of honor in homes and gardens

FLOWERS See the Amazing Orchids Unfolding at a New York Garden Show

By Mitchell Parker

Get an eyeful of awe-inspiring orchids in incredible colors and learn how to keep one happily blooming at home

FLOWERS Orchids 101: Frilly Oncidiums Dance Their Way to Center Stage

By Marianne Lipanovich

Sprays of flowers characterize these New World orchids

HOUSEPLANTS Orchids 101: Classic Cattleyas

By Marianne Lipanovich

These traditional corsage orchids can easily be a part of your collection of blooming plants

COLOR Best Ways to Use Radiant Orchid, Pantone's Color of 2014

By Jennifer Ott Design

Learn how to work in this bold fuchsia-pink-purple successfully around the home, and give it a yay or nay in the Houzz poll

GARDENING GUIDES Grow a Beautiful Fall Garden in a Pot

Welcome autumn with 7 gorgeous plants that thrive in containers and enliven your porch or patio throughout the cooler season

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: 20 Uncommonly Attractive Pots and Planters

By My Paradissi

Cultivate some personality indoors with plant containers that are as unique as the greenery they hold

Sponsored

More Discussions

My first keiki!

2

Will Orchid stem regrow? NEWBIE

7

New spikes and terminal spike on orchid.

12

Orchid root rot

1

Orchid - Roots vs. Stems?

5