Usually ants are on plants eating aphids. Sounds like maybe one of your shrubs had an aphid infestation. The easiest way to get rid of aphids is to blast them off with the hose. You might look for them on your other shrubs.

LisaLou -
Yeah, I've always seen ants on Hibiscus Syriacus in the past, but this is something different. All of the ants seem to be focused on eating the flower buds. In fact, there are so many ants on the buds that the buds appear to be black. However, after seeing photos on the Roses Forum of Japanese Beetle damage, I realize that my insect problems are minor!

Hi

I had the same problem. Dan Gill suggested spraying all the ants off with the hose then putting a product called tangle foot around the base. It worked for me.

Betty

Betty, what is tangle foot and where do you get it?

Ants do not eat aphids. They are like shepherds and protect the aphids from predators. In exchange, they lap up the honeydew secreted by the feeding aphids, and ants don't feed on flower buds. Are you sure they are ants?

Tangle foot is a very sticky substance that remains sticky for a fairly long time that you spread on around the base of the plant. Any insect that has to crawl from the ground upwards gets stuck or "tangled" up in the goo and never makes it up the plant to feed. You should be able to find some at a good garden center, or go a google search and order off the internet.

Here is a link that might be useful: ants and aphids

I got mine at the local feed store

They were defintily ants. They were carring mud up and making nest on the blooms. You can call The Tanglefoot Company at (616) 459-4139 8 am to 5 om eastern time.

I have had problems with ants in the altheas, too, when there were plenty of other choices around. They seem to prefer the althea. I had a group of potted plants under the oak tree. It was the althea that was full of ants.

Carol

Hi Pinkie, I'm in Vivian, where are you?

I'm having the same problem, and have fought the ants for two years. I'll try the sticky stuff (if my tree is still alive)

HI THERE, My name is Carolyn. I live in Cleveland, TN. I have 1 large Althea tree, bush, whatever you call it, and mine isn't evered in ants, but the flowers are dropping off and the leaves are turning yellow. Is this the time for the leaves to be dropping off for the fall ? I've just become interested in the Althea. I have planted 6 other Althea trees, ( really twig size ) by my 1 larger one and they seem to be doing ok for now, anyway. Should I mulch them for the winter ? I'd appreciate any info. Thanks, Carolyn

I trim back my Althea each year, as I want to keep it contained, and mulch now for winter. I make cuttings each year to pass-along to friends. My son-in-law grows his Althea tall, but removes all the lower branches, as he has daylily plants growing all around the tree. The Althea blooms beautiful!

No ants, no bugs, but althea, 13 years old is rapidly dying. Watered real good because of the hot drought conditions. Any suggestions?

That was last year. I'm very happy to say that the same althea bloomed rather well this year! I saw some ants, but not many.

Adgerlady, I know this is late, but I want to respond. I'm in Shreveport.

I don't know why your althea is dying Virginia34, but you have my sympathy.