[Benandbill]

... what do you folks do about this?  There are some differing approaches to tackling this on our site.  Is ant powder okay and I wonder if there's a more natural way of deterring the pest?

[missmoneypenny]

The ants themselves aren't a problem but they are an indication that a blackfly infestation is starting. They "harvest" the blackfly and suck the sweet honeydew off them. You need to get rid of the blackfly. In my experience there's no easy way of doing it. Squish them individually, or cut off the growing tips above the topmost flowers as the "fly congregate there. Or use a spray if you don't mind doing that. I had to last year in  the end as the ' fly were just getting too much.
Good luck.

[Mrs Bee]

Yep, the ants are a sign of blackfly.

Noticed some on mine a few days ago. Ants and blackfly.

Have a close look before you spray with anything, just in case there are any ladybirds too.

I could see several ladybirds on mine as well as a few ants and decided to leave the ladybirds to it for a few days to see if they can clear the blackfly. Will also pick the tops off, wash them well and eat them.
This should deter the blackfly.

If it doesn't then I will go in with a spray.

[Benandbill]

Thanks missmoneypenny, I thought it was blackfy 1st of all and I did my usual thing of watering them with soapy water, then someone came along and told me they were ants.

[LeeR]

The black fly tend to go for the new growth at the tips.  Pinch out the tips and you'll get rip of the black fly and ants, well most of them anyway.  BTW don't throw the tips away, try stir frying them, minus the black fry  :happy:

[Paul Plots]

BTW don't throw the tips away, try stir frying them, minus the black fry  :happy:

What? "Minus the blackfly"
                                  And waste all that free valuable protein!! 

[Benandbill]

yes, and I#m catching as many of the ants as I can now as I've heard they're very nice with chocolate 

[Paul Plots]

yes, and I#m catching as many of the ants as I can now as I've heard they're very nice with chocolate 

Dipped of course. 

[A Reyt Tayty]

I've got quite a lot of ants on my bb's. Not a glimmer of blackfly though. The first of the beans will be ready for picking next week, if not sooner. 

[Paul Plots]

I've got quite a lot of ants on my bb's. Not a glimmer of blackfly though. The first of the beans will be ready for picking next week, if not sooner. 

Were they autumn sown or spring?

[A Reyt Tayty]

Sown in autumn, out late November. When frosts were predicted I made cones out of bubble wrap and fed them down the supporting canes. Worked a treat, only lost a couple. The variety is Meteor.

[Paul Plots]

Sown in autumn, out late November. When frosts were predicted I made cones out of bubble wrap and fed them down the supporting canes. Worked a treat, only lost a couple. The variety is Meteor.

Meteor... Thanks - might give those a try next year.

This time round I didn't autumn sow but am presently quite pleased with my spring ones - in flower and catching up rapidly with my neighbour who autumn sowed. 


(I'm watching those ants - dont trust them!!)