My husband just brought in the most beautiful peonies but it is full of little black ants, I made him them out
Question:what can I do to get rid of ants before I take in the house??
Answers:
Its a myth that peonies need ants to bloom. The will bloom just fine without them. Ants like to eat the sweet sap that is around the buds. Anything you want to do to get rid of the ants is fine. Either shake the ants off or dip the plant in cold water.
the ants are what opens the peonies flower up.
leave them outside they need the ants to make them bloom
These ants are common on peonies. They don't hurt anything. Just shake them out real well. I used to dunk them in some cold water for a little bit and that seemed to prompt the ants to leave.
Try holding them "flower down" and lightly shaking each one as you pick it, before bringing inside. You could also lightly mist them with water to try and dislodge the ants. Carefully inspect each bloom before bringing inside. Unfortunately, ants just LOVE peonies. Display them on the counter, but not too close to food. And I wouldn't spray them with poison and then bring them inside so that you can breathe in the poison too.
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