Seeing a few ants on your Dappled Willow (Harlequin Willow) isn’t usually a cause for alarm. In fact, they can actually be pretty helpful! But if you notice a steady parade of ants climbing up the trunk, it’s time to take action. Here is how to deal with ants on your Dappled Willow.
Are ants actually harmful to Dappled Willows?
Ants only really become a problem for your Dappled Willow if they are bringing along aphids or building a nest right in the root system. Generally speaking, these little guys do a lot of beneficial work and help keep your garden’s ecosystem in balance. They clean up organic debris and help aerate the soil. Some species even snack on caterpillars, helping to keep other pests at bay. Unfortunately, ants also “farm” aphids on Dappled Willows, which is when the damage starts. You’ll also want to act if you find a nest tucked into the roots.
When do ants mean you have an aphid problem?
Are the leaves of your Dappled Willow (Salix integra ‘Hakuro Nishiki’) feeling sticky? If so, those ants are a surefire sign of an aphid infestation. Aphids secrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which ants absolutely love to eat. To protect their food source, ants will actually guard the aphids from natural predators, helping the infestation spread even faster. If the foliage stays coated in honeydew, it can interfere with the plant’s metabolism and lead to various diseases.
How do I get rid of aphids and ants on my willow?
The best way to handle this is with a simple insecticidal soap solution. Here’s a quick recipe:
- Mix about 3 tablespoons (40 grams) of liquid castile soap or soft soap per 1 quart (1 liter) of water.
- Dissolve the soap and add a splash of neem oil for extra punch.
Spray the leaves every few days. After two to three weeks, the aphids should be gone, and the ants will lose interest and move on.
How can I naturally repel ants from my Dappled Willow?
You can drive ants away using plant-based teas or liquid manures. Stinging nettle tea is a classic organic remedy. Here’s how to make it:
1. Collect about 2 lbs (1 kg) of fresh nettles and chop them up roughly.
2. Mix them with about 2.5 gallons (10 liters) of water.
3. Let the bucket sit in a cool, dark spot for about a week.
4. Give it a stir once a day.
Once it’s ready, strain the liquid into a spray bottle and give your Dappled Willow a good misting.
What should I do about an ant nest under the tree?
You can either flood the nest repeatedly or use a clay pot to relocate the colony. If you leave a large nest alone, the ants can tunnel through the root zone, which might cause the tree to become unstable or struggle to take up nutrients. To flood them out, use your plant-based tea. To move them, simply fill a flower pot with wood wool (excelsior) and place it upside down over the nest; once they move in, you can carry the pot to a different part of the yard.
Pro Tip: Use companion planting to keep ants away
Choosing the right companion plants is a great way to prevent ant issues before they start. Fragrant herbs like lavender, wormwood, or thyme have strong scents that ants find totally repulsive, making them great neighbors for your Dappled Willow.