Before the peonies bloom, there may be a problem with ants that are actively moving and can cause harm.
Ants pose no danger to flower buds, as they are attracted to the sweet dew, which they feed on and then leave the plant.
However, their activity can cause serious harm to the roots of the peony. Sometimes ants create their nests in the roots, which can go as deep as 1.5–2 meters.
Therefore, gardeners strive to get rid of ant colonies at the base of the peony as quickly as possible. Due to the activity of the insects, the roots can dry out, and the flowering becomes sluggish.
Florists use chemical preparations to combat ants.
They justify the use of chemicals by stating that peonies are not meant for consumption, unlike cucumbers or tomatoes, so there is no point in looking for complicated methods that may prove ineffective.
After treatment, the ants disappear for a while, and the peonies continue to grow and develop.
