Ants on my raspberry plants - what to do?

[narnie123]

Hi everyone, I am a novice gardener - this is only my 2nd year at growing fruit and veg. Had no problems with the raspberries last year but noticed last night that a couple of my raspberry plants are covered in black ants. Is there a safe way to treat the plants to get rid of them - they are already crawling over the newly budding fruit and I don't want to be faced with ants in the fruit when it ripens! Thanks for your advice.

[rainbowgardener]

Put a circle of chalk dust, talcum powder or other powdery substance like that around the plant. It has to be an unbroken circle at least 1/2" wide or so and solid, a good layer of it.

The ants can't walk across it, it clogs their spiracles (breathing passages).


Try typing ant control into the Search the Forum feature. You will find a bunch of stuff written here already about it.

Here's one thread to start you off:

https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9437