[MoreWhisky]

My 1yr and a half Leveller Gooseberry bush has ants all over it  

Are they ok to leave alone? or should i take action? and if so whats best to do?

Any Gooseberry advice at all is very welcome    im trying to so look after this bush as its my favourite thing on my plot  

Cheers MW.

[viettaclark]

I don't think they will harm your bush unless their nest is under the roots. Ants "milk" blackfly/greenfly so look out for them!!!

[MoreWhisky]

I don't think they will harm your bush unless their nest is under the roots. Ants "milk" blackfly/greenfly so look out for them!!!

I hope they not nesting under my bush!!!!! ekk

[Salmo]

Ants usually do no harm but sometimes they build up earth around the lowest branches.

The real pest to look out for is gooseberry sawfly. The first you usually see of these is all the leaves in the centre of the bush have been stripped. If you do nothing about it the tiny green caterpillars will strip the whole bush in a few days. Look them up on the RHS website.

[MoreWhisky]

Im worried about the sawfly now , I have been advised to fleece the whole bush to stop them. Ive not done this yet as if i fleece i might be worried about mildew    .

Anyone know when i need to be on the look out for the sawfly attack? as i have small fruit on my bush now.

Cheers MW.