Will Ants Harm My Apple Tree? A Complete Guide

Will ants harm my apple tree? Ants are a fact of life for me and most other gardeners. Ants are attracted to our gardens because they provide them with food, water, and shelter. If you grow apples, you’ll see lots of different insects on your trees, including ants. But, it’s important to know whether ants are simply an annoyance, or whether they can harm your apple tree and slow its growth. In most cases, ants are not harmful to apple trees, but there are a few exceptions. Today, I’ll explain the problems ants can pose, but also how your apple tree may benefit from them.

Why do ants like trees?
Do ants harm apple trees?
Are ants good for apple trees?
How to stop ants on apple trees

Why Do Ants Like Trees?

It’s common to see lots of ants around trees. Why is that? Ants and trees have a mutually beneficial relationship. Ants that live in the ground form anthills near trees that act as nutrient-rich compost. Predatory ants can also feed on insect pests that are harmful to trees. Some fruit growers use ants as a form of natural pest control and introduce ant colonies into orchards.

Tree-dwelling ants seek out old, dying trees for food and shelter rather than young healthy trees. They help to break down dead trees and return nutrients to the soil. Trees provide a source of food and shelter for ants, and in return ant activity can improve the health of trees and the soil they grow in.

Do Ants Harm Apple Trees?

Apple trees can suffer from several insect pests, including the apple sawfly, capsid bug, apple sucker, caterpillar, and red spider mite. Birds can also be a problem. But what about ants? Ants themselves do not typically hurt apple trees, but there are a couple of instances when the presence of ants might be an issue.

Large numbers of ants can potentially damage very young apple trees or seedlings. Because ants like to work the soil around the base of trees, they can expose the roots to air and dry them out.

The more common way that the presence of ants is harmful to apple trees has to do with their unique relationship with one of the most common apple tree pests, the aphid. When you see many ants on your apple tree, it could mean that your tree is infested with aphids. What is the connection between ants and aphids?

Ants like to feed on honeydew, the sugary liquid secreted by aphids. Some kinds of ants will even “farm” aphids on an apple tree. The ants tend to aphids, protecting them from predators, to ensure a steady supply of honeydew. The damage to the tree will come from the aphids feeding on plant sap from the leaves and stems, not from the ants. However, ants are indirectly harmful in the sense that they cultivate and protect an insect pest that does harm trees.

Are Ants Good for Apple Trees?

Now that we’ve looked at the negative aspects of ants on apple trees, keep in mind that overall, ants are beneficial for trees, and you should think twice before trying to eradicate them with pesticides.

As we mentioned, some ant species prey on harmful insects and can be a natural and valuable form of pest control. Ants are also very good for the soil around the base of your apple tree. Some experts say they are even more effective at creating nutrient-rich soil than earthworms. So, you don’t have to panic if you see lots of ants around your apple tree.

Check the leaves for signs of aphids. If you don’t have aphids, it’s fine to let the ants be. Ants and trees have coexisted in harmony for a very long time! But, if you do see aphids, you might experience some issues. So, next I’ll explain how you can get rid of ants and aphids on your apple trees.

How to Stop Ants on Apple Trees

What should you do if you discover that ants are farming aphids and protecting them from predators like ladybugs on your apple tree? The key is to prevent ants from reaching the aphids on the tree’s leaves so that the aphids’ natural predators can get to them. It’s not harmful for ants to be at the base or on the trunk of the tree, you just want to prevent them from making their way up to the leaves.

There are different kinds of ant barriers you can try. Some gardeners like to spread crumbled charcoal or diatomaceous earth around the base of the tree. You can also spread a band of commercially made sticky insect barrier (like Tanglefoot) around the tree trunk, a few feet up from the ground. The ants will get stuck in the barrier and be unable to reach the aphids. For extra protection, place a second band above the first one to create an additional barrier.

Many gardeners like to put a strip of plastic around the trunk and apply the sticky material to that. Remove it after a couple of months to avoid bark damage. While the ants are blocked, treat the aphids with horticultural oil or soap, or use an insecticide that’s safe for apple trees. You can also buy a container of ladybugs to release onto the tree.