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Ants on my runner beans?

• Message 1. 

  Posted by parkesy (U14367556) on Monday, 12th July 2010

  Hi everyone, noticed lots of 'ants' scurrying up and down my canes with my runner bean plants on them.
  
  Upon closer inspection tonight, the 'ants' (I'm pretty sure they are ants) are under every leaf and stem of the the plants.
  
  The canes had been leaning up my fence next to a neighbouring bush/tree. I have tonight moved them away from this bush.
  
  Any suggestions how I can get rid of these unwanted visitors and do you know if they will have harmed the runner beans?
  
  Thanks for your help, Parkesy

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by koala_girl (U12702629) on Monday, 12th July 2010

  It's not the ants you have to worry about, it's the black fly. Whenever you see ants on a plant you can be sure that it either has green fly or black fly. The ants eat the sugary substance which both of those give out, and they will protect them from preditors.

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by parkesy (U14367556) on Monday, 12th July 2010

  Ah, thank you Koala Girl, did notice little black eggs and what I thought were flying ants - they must be black fly.
  
  Never come across them before, do I need to destroy my runner bean plants or can I save them?
  
  Thank you

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by koala_girl (U12702629) on Monday, 12th July 2010

  Everybody gets black fly on their runner beans. If there are just a few you can squash them, otherwise you can wash them off. Some people use plain water, some use water with a drop of washing up liquid. Be careful if you are hosing them off as too high a pressure will knock the flowers off. I prefer to use a combination of squashing them and using a hand held spray to get them out from the between the flower buds.

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by parkesy (U14367556) on Monday, 12th July 2010

  There are lots and lots and lots of the things.
  
  Noticed the ants weeks ago, but never thought anything of it until I had a good look tonight.
  
  At least I now know for next year that ants are a sign of black or green fly!
  
  I will get out there with my soapy solution tomorrow and terminate the beasts.
  
  So glad I don't have to destroy my plants
  
  Thanks again for your help Koala Girl!
  

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by zoomer44 (U14019069) on Tuesday, 13th July 2010

  Be careful how much detergernt you put in the water to spray them with as too much will kill your plants and only spray where the blackfly are.

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