Ants and Aphids

You may not consider it a big deal if you see ants marching along your rose canes or on your apple trees, but if you ignore them, you may be asking for trouble. That’s because some ants herd aphids, picking the tiny creatures up and placing them where they can get the best food — that is, the sugary sap from your favorite plants. Ants then drink the honeydew the aphids produce. To get rid of both ants and aphids organically, try spraying them off with a jet of water. If that doesn’t work, try a weak solution of insecticidal soap. Diatomaceous earth, sprinkled directly on the pests, will also kill them.