How to stop ants from eating new growth on my dwarf citrus plants when they go outside for the summer.

Question

last year when I took my dwarf orange, lime and blood orange plants outside for the summer, something (ants, I think) ate every new leaf that emerged.   I saw ants on the plant that is why I'm thinking it is them.  Can I use something homeopathic on the plants?  Someone suggested a spray called Seven and others said to put a foil or something around the plants stems by the earth.  Can you help?

Answer 1

you can put a container of aspartame out and the ants take it back to their nest. it is deadly to the ants BUT is also deadly to honey bees. please put a lid with holes small enough for the ants to get in but not the bees. we who are beekeepers will greatly appreciate this as bees are extremely important   to our agriculture  and are presently suffering and endangered by the many pesticides etc. that are out there. Thank You.

Answer 2

I just read that you can put some corn meal around at the base of the tree.....and they take it down to their living area....they can't digest it.........also after the sun goes way down..............you can mix up 1 teasp liquid soap....not the antibacterial kind and 1 qt water and spray.............after the sun goes down is the best time.....bees are back in the hive..........it will be dry by morning.....................