A GARDENING expert has revealed why having ants crawling up your plants could be a sign of an even bigger issue.
Taking to social media, gardening expert Dave, who goes by Dave The Plant Man, explained the issue and it’s easy fix.
In the viral clip Dave explained that people often ask him how to deal with ants crawling up and down their plants.
But according to the pro, ants are the least of your worries.
He explained: “Usually the ants aren’t the problem.
“What an ant does is it runs up the plant and it’s finding green flies.”
This is because the green flies release a liquid called honeydew, which the ants collect and bring it back down to their nest, the pro said.
“So, ants running up and down aren’t you’re problem, it’s telling you there are probably green flies,” he continued.
However, if you’ve got ants that are going in and out of any pots in your garden, they’re easy to get rid of.
The good news is you don’t need to spend a fortune on pricey products to do the job either.
In fact, there’s a completely free trick Dave recommended.
He said: “[Ants] love a dry area to build their nests, so put your plant in a saucer and the ants don’t like swimming across water.
“So for summer just put your outdoor plants in a saucer.”
TikTok users thanked Dave for the handy tip and many said they would put it to the test.
“Thanks! I’ve got a huge problem with ants in my allotment this year,” one commented.
“Great hack, thanks Dave,” another chimed in.
When it comes to getting rid of green flies, the Royal Horticultural Society recommended tolerating them if possible.
“It is usual to have some in a healthy, balanced garden. They are a vital food source for a wide range of wildlife in the garden.”
For the most part, green flies are harmless, “some aphids cause some leaf and bud distortion, they can spread plant viruses and you might see some honeydew on which a harmless sooty mould can grow.
“This can be wiped off with a damp cloth,” RHS explained.
