Ants and corn

[Anny]

Black ants are all over my corn plants! What do I do? how do I get rid of them? (with out horrible chemicals)

 

[Rosalind]

See if there are aphids or some similar little bugs in the corn as well--pull back some cornshucks from the ears. Usually ants are growing a crop of aphids on corn.

I just threw a bunch of aphid-infested corncobs to the chickens, actually, and got a giant ant-bite on my arm for it.

 

[Anny]

I don't have any actual cob on the corn yet, just the tassels.

 

[theOEGBman]

I noticed one was covered in ants too! The silk never appeared, so I pulled back the husk and the silk was rolled up inside, it didnt manage to push out. The ear is covered in ants though, I dont know what to do about it!

 

[Anny]

can anybody help??? This is my first time ever growing corn I'd hate to loose it all to ants.

 

[Anny]

Well since no on was replying here I looked else where and found this...I thought I'd post it in cause anyone else is having the same issue...

"You probably have corn aphids and the ants are there to harvest their honeydo (waste). You don't say what the "anti-pest vegetable spray" is, but insecticidal soap will work on aphids and would be one of the safest products I can think of for edibles. There are also other insects that will help control aphids in the garden. Take a look here for pics and other helpful info.
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r113300611.html

The best way to prevent pests is to maintain plant health. Compost added to the soil before planting and used as a topdressing is helpful. You can also make a compost tea to spray on the foilage.
http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/soil/2000052708003930.html "


If you are very careful, and can see the aphids, you can spray directly on them with a squirt bottle.
http://www.care2.com/channels/solutions/outdoors/194




I think if the aphids are gone, so are the ants. The only ant to plant relationship I can think of that's positive is the peony. Generally if you see ants on your plants (goodness, that rhymes!) they are harvesting the waste material of aphids or scales and defending against the predators of the aphids or scale.

Btw, there are cornfield ants that protect and nurture aphids that eat the roots of corn and thief ants that eat the seeds!
http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/epublic/pages/publicationD.jsp?publicationId=511

This is a wonderful site.
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/pages/hancock/agriculture/corn/diagnostic/corn_diagnostic.html




Insecticidal Soap Spray
1 to 2 tablespoons liquid soap
1 quart water

Combine ingredients in a bucket, mix, then transfer to a spray
bottle as needed.

 

[bills]

Ants don't like DE, so a sprinkle of it around the base of your plants may discourage them. I had an ant nest in my asparagus bed, and although they didn't bother the aparagus, I don't want an ant nest in my veggie garden at all. A sprinkle of DE was all it took to get rid of them. It won't affect the plant, and is approved for organic gardening.

 

[OaklandCityFarmer]

I agree with bills that DE is an effective way to kill ants and a lot of other soft bodied insects. However, DE can kill pollinators and other beneficials and should be used with extreme caution. Even though something is approved for organic gardening it may still have negative impacts on local ecosystems and the natural process.

Anny, your research is right, ants and aphids are a very common occurrence. A good soapy spray like you recommended is very effective against them as is a strong spray of water. Lady bugs can also help keeping aphids under control but the ants will fight them off.

Like you said, get rid of the aphids and get rid of the ants.

Good luck!