Broad beans and ants

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Elcie

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Broad beans and ants
« on: May 06, 2009, 23:28 »
My broad beans are growing briliantly, with the first couple of pods now showing.  Last week I noticed that they were crawling with ants so I pinched out the top shoot incase there were blackfly (?) about.  Unfortunately, looked today and can still see quite a few ants.  Can't see the blackfly though.  Help?  What shall I do, or are the ants just looking for something that isn't there?

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iwantanallotment

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Re: Broad beans and ants
« Reply #1 on: May 07, 2009, 01:48 »
You'd soon see the blackfly if they were there, Elcie. They amass in no time.

You've done the right thing in pinching out the shoots as a deterrent. Hope you cooked them? They are delicious steamed and served with butter.

The ants won't harm your beans, so I'd say to just be vigilant for those nasty blackfly turning up. If they do, soft soap and jam asap ;)

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jolly jen

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Re: Broad beans and ants
« Reply #2 on: May 07, 2009, 10:02 »
i had a few ants on mine ,which were planted in nov,,they dont seem to be doing any harm,no sign of black fly thou
Self-sufficient in rasberries and onions....

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Sharonx

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Re: Broad beans and ants
« Reply #3 on: May 07, 2009, 16:58 »
What is the jam for?

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jolly jen

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Re: Broad beans and ants
« Reply #4 on: May 07, 2009, 17:38 »
looked today had black fly,,i think the ants are on their to eat the black fly??
picked off the tips and brought them home,washed the blackfly off,and the odd ant ,put them in fridge for later,,,,broad bean tips not the ants ants and blackfly,,hehee

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woodburner

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Re: Broad beans and ants
« Reply #5 on: May 08, 2009, 11:35 »
Ants 'farm' aphids for the sweet honeydew they exude. They move young ones onto less occupied stems, so spreading the problem about.
The jam is to satisfy the ants need for sweet stuff so that they start eating the aphids for protein instead.
I demand the right to buy seed of varieties that are not "distinct, uniform and stable".

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sloworm

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Re: Broad beans and ants
« Reply #6 on: May 08, 2009, 13:34 »
Hi
 read about picking out the top of broad beans but when do I do it? Is it only if you get the black fly? Shall have to remember the one about jam as we have lots of ants in the compost bin
 
Thanx  :)


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