Ants on the bay tree

Hey,
I'm trying to grow this bay tree my mum's donateed to our new garden. I've recently trimmed it to encourage it to grow up, rather than out, and repotted it. However, the ants seem to think it's a new adventure playground for them to climb up and down. They don't seem to be doing any damage, but it's ironic, seeing as bay leaves are said to deter ants.
Why is this happening, and what can I do to get rid of them, preferably avoiding nasty chemicals?
Thanks,JB

 

if they're not harming the tree then i'd be inclined to just leave them alone

 

Ants on a plant often indicates greenfly etc. as the ants live on the sticky substance left by the greenfly. Its not 100%, but you will find that the two do go together.
Have a look for greenfly.
pete

 

I think you'll find Pete's right

The ants move the greenfly around and they can damage the plant or spread virus's

If you don't like nasty chemicals or even nice ones sometimes soapy water gets rid

 

Steve we've been here before, soapy water aint cleared for use as an insectercide

 

zzz... oh yes it is oh no it isn't...
organic soap based insecticide or garlic based ones. see the links
http://www.organiccatalog.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=61_181&products_id=550
http://www.hdra.org.uk/pdfs/international_programme/TNP3-Garlic.pdf

 

Seems like a compromise for the Pro's and Anti's :D

 

Bring back malathion, that worked on most things and it was reasonably priced. :(

 

Yes,Malathion was good.
Also used Dimethoate, but that was 1981.
Is that still out there?

 

Here's a good site found from a link on the RHS site

http://www.garden-care.org.uk/GardenCare/default.asp

Just put your problem in the boxes and it tells you the best chemical to zap em with

 

My best remedy for ants is, bringing some little Bantams on my patio, you want to see the ants diappear lol...One is constantly outside their run and lays an egg in cat house in their basket and even stops over night at times. :eek:

 

If only we all had a few bantams :D

 

Paladin, I dont think you can get Dimethoate any more.
The ones now available, and there ar'nt many different ones when you look at the active ingredient, all seem to be very expensive, or is it just me being tight.

 

Thats an interesting site Steve, Perhaps Nathan could fix it so that, that link stays somewhere prominent, for easy acsess at any time.
Any chance Nathan?