Black ants

[Ramil]

Hello. Should I let black ants farm aphids in the greenhouse or is it a bad idea. Also is it ok for the fish to snack on them?

ramil

[Robert C. Wood]

you will be better off to get rid of the aphids before they hurt your plants. I don't think that there would be any problem of feeding the ant to your fish but I am no expert on that.

[Kurt Jensen]

I don't think the ants are there to eat the aphids , the aphids produce a secretion that the ants like. I would get rid of the aphids

[Ramil]

Yes, Ive been trying to get rid of the aphids as well. I thought the ants are helping me but obviously i'm wrong. Thanks for the info guys.

ramil

[Robert C. Wood]

you can use diluted neem oil to treat for the aphids. the neem oil is food safe.

[Alex Veidel]

No, you should not let the black ants farm aphids. They are not beef cattle farmers, they are dairy cattle farmers :) Ants shepherd those aphids because of a sweet honey-like secretion that aphids give off for the ants. Only leads to them setting up shop further in your greenhouse.

[Alex Veidel]

Neem oil is safe, but not for fish. Take precautions not to get it in your water.

Robert C. Wood said:

you can use diluted neem oil to treat for the aphids. the neem oil is food safe.

[Ramil]

Thanks Alex for the info. How about feeding the ants to the fish, free protein! do you have any suggestions for that?