All season long I have seen lots of ants all over my buternut squash plants. The leaves are all in beautiful shape, no holes, etc. which leads me to my question. What are all those ants doing on my plants ?
Thanks
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rainbowgardener
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 25279
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
- Location: TN/GA 7b
Check your plant closely. At a guess, there may be aphids (or whiteflies or scale insects, but aphids would be most common). Those insects secrete honeydew which is a clear sweet substance that the ants love. Ants have been known to "farm" aphids to keep a supply of it. Otherwise there wouldn't be any reason for ants to be attracted to your butternut squash.
Other possibility to check for would be whether any of the squashes have cracked open or is part of the plant dying. Ants might come in either of those cases, though not as likely.
Other possibility to check for would be whether any of the squashes have cracked open or is part of the plant dying. Ants might come in either of those cases, though not as likely.