Why Are My Trees Infested With Ants?

Ants are drawn to trees for two general reasons. The first is they are foraging for sweet honeydew left behind by other insects and the second reason is they are looking inside tree cavities and rotten wood areas in an effort to construct a new home for their ant colony. Ants are actually an indication that your tree’s health is already failing, or has died. Ants are not necessarily the primary cause of the damage to your trees. Acting as a red flag, the presence of ants can tip you off that there may be a problem. By removing the ants and treating your tree accordingly, the tree can pull through before it is too late and restored to good health.

Carpenter Ants Found in Trees

Generally, the type of ants that affect trees in Utah are Carpenter Ants. Piles of sawdust at the base of your tree are often noticed when these black ants are actively intruding in your tree. Carpenter ants prefer softwood, often burrowing in rotten trees. If carpenter ants are moving into your tree, it is fair to assume the tree is weak and could be at risk of falling. If you confirm carpenter ants, ensure they are completely exterminated and contact a professional to remove the tree’s remains. Carpenter ants bite in defense when their nests are disturbed. Their bites can be painful, often breaking the skin. They also spray formic acid into the bite wound which further increases the pain.

How to Get Rid of Ants on Trees

It is important to rid your landscape of carpenter ants, as they can inflict painful stings to people and pets or cause damage if they are presented with an opportunity to invade your home or business. Below you will find a few tips to stop that from happening:
1) Most ants will leave an area that reeks of peppermint once they smell the offending scent.
Combine 30 drops of peppermint oil and one gallon of water into a bug sprayer container and liberally spray the tree with the solution.
2) Use a horticultural soap or insecticide to rid the tree of sap-feeding insects by cutting off the ant’s honeydew supply.
3) Contact a professional pest control company for effective ant treatment.

Ant Control

If you have an ant infestation in your trees, contact the professionals of Rentokil and let our experts treat your trees, remove the ants and help prevent future pests from invading your landscape and buildings.