Symptoms
Ants farming honeydew-producing insects (aphids, mealybugs, scale) on shoots. Disturbed soil at plant base. Direct feeding damage on flowers and ripe fruit. Yellow crazy ants can damage young shoots and disrupt natural enemy populations.
Prevention
Apply sticky barriers (Tanglefoot) to trunk bases. Control honeydew-producing pest populations to reduce ant attraction. Use physical barriers. Address the underlying honeydew pest first.
Treatment
Organic
Apply diatomaceous earth around plant base. Use boric acid bait stations away from edible crops. Address the aphid, mealybug or scale infestation that ants are protecting.
Chemical (last resort)
Apply fipronil or chlorpyrifos ant baits. Treat plant bases with insecticide drench. Controlling the ant-tended pest (aphids, mealybugs) is often more effective than targeting ants directly.
Affects 1 crop
Sources
MARDI Pest Guide; DOA Extension Bulletin