Keep ants off peonies

Video: PEONIES 101 | How to get ants off peonies, how to make them bloom later & more!

Content

To step
Method 1 of 2: Keep ants away from peonies
Method 2 of 2: Keep ants off cut peonies
Tips
Necessities
Keep ants away from peonies
Keep ants off cut peonies

Peonies are a popular garden plant for their large, fragrant flowers. However, a common problem among peony growers is that the flowers attract many animals. Peonies' buds secrete a juice rich in carbohydrates, and ants feed on this substance. The relationship between ants and peonies has been going on for so long that it was once thought that the ants were necessary for opening the peonies. However, this is not true, so it is not harmful to the plant to keep ants off the peonies in your garden and cut peonies in your home.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Keep ants away from peonies

Spray the peonies with water for an immediate solution. To temporarily get rid of an ant infestation, spray the peonies with a strong water jet. This will kill the ants on the plants, but it won't stop the influx of ants permanently.
Spray the peonies with insecticide for a long-lasting solution. Find an insecticidal soap spray and check to see if the manufacturer specifically states that it is effective against ants. Apply the insecticide according to the manufacturer's directions, usually 2-3 times a week for 2 weeks.
- This method is generally not acceptable if you are gardening organically or do not want to harm the beneficial insects that help pollinate the plants.
Treat your peonies with a natural ant repellent to avoid the use of insecticide. Mix 2-3 tablespoons of peppermint oil with about 1 liter of water in a spray bottle to make a natural repellent. Spray the mixture on the peonies' stems and around the plant to keep ants at bay.
- You can also use 2-3 tablespoons of cayenne pepper or crushed garlic instead of peppermint oil. Mix one of these ingredients with approx. 1 liter of water and spray the peonies with this solution. You can also try using a 1: 1 solution of apple cider vinegar and water.
Prevent ants from climbing the stems of the plant by making a homemade ant trap. If your goal is to keep ants off the peonies permanently, you can make a simple trap with petroleum jelly and paper. Cut a circle about 15 cm wide from a piece of paper. Cut the circle in a straight line from the outside in, then cut a small circle from the center of the circle. Smear one side of the paper circle with petroleum jelly, then place the circle around the base of the peony stem, placing the stem in the center of the circles.
- If the side with petroleum jelly is facing up, ants trying to climb the plant will get stuck on it.
Supplement your peony bed with ant-repellent plants. Another way to discourage ants from sitting on your peonies is to place ant repellant plants nearby. Some common plants that typically repel ants are geraniums, mint, garlic and calendula.

Method 2 of 2: Keep ants off cut peonies

Cut and rinse the peonies when the buds are in the soft stage. Peonies that have some petals visible and are soft when you squeeze them gently are ready to be cut. Rinse the buds with cool water before bringing them in to rinse away any ants. Place the stems in a vase so that the flowers will bloom.
- For even more effective ant removal, you can add a few drops of dish soap to the water. A mild soap solution will not harm the flowers.
Gently shake out blooming peonies before bringing them indoors. If you are cutting a full bloom peony to take indoors, hold it upside down and gently shake it back and forth. Then check for ants between the leaves and wipe them away with your fingers.
- You can also rinse peonies in a cold bath.
Keep ants away from your flowers with honey and borax. Make an ant trap by mixing 1 tablespoon of honey with 1 tablespoon of hot water and 1 tablespoon (26 grams) of borax. Spread the mixture on a flat surface, such as a piece of paper or note pad, and place it near the flowers. The ants will be attracted to the honey, but will die from eating borax.
- This solution is not safe for households with pets or children as it is poisonous if ingested.
Drizzle the flowers with cinnamon to naturally repel ants. Ants don't like cinnamon, so if you don't mind your flowers smelling like cinnamon, you can sprinkle a small amount on the flowers. You can also try placing a cinnamon stick near the peonies.

Tips

Consider that the ants and peonies live together in harmony. Usually the ants are not harmful to the peony, they only feed on the nectar.
Avoid planting peonies near your home, especially near your kitchen. The ants on the flowers can then easily find their way into your house.