I have a very beautiful, large flowering Hoya plant that I keep outdoors in the summer and discovered that there are baby ants crawling over the flowers and leaves. So far, they haven't injured the plant and I need to know what type of spray or procedure I can follow to keep it safe from these ants. Also, I don't want to have them come into my home when I take it inside in September. Any ideas? Thanks Mary S.
The ants are not the main problem. The ants are on your plant living off the honeydew secreted by a scale or other insect. First, wash the plant with a hard stream of water to knock off any critters (may be too small for naked eye). THEN, apply a horticultural soap or a horticultuiral oil to smother any remaining critters. If the ants persist, get after the ants with a non-harmful to the Invironment product called , "SPINOSAD, or any Bayer product licensed to control ants." Mort Brigadier col.mort@gmail.com
