Ants on Gardenia

Question

What can I use to treat ants on my gardenia? It’s on the porch and doing very well but I will want to bring it in the house for winter. All the sprays I’ve looked into say ‘don’t use on gardenias’.

Answer 1

It sounds like the shrub has aphids. The ants are attracted to the sticky substance the aphids sucrete. This article will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/homemade-aphid-control-a-natural-way-to-kill-aphids.htm

Neem oil is effective against aphids as well. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm