Ants!!

[John2468]

Hey everyone!! I recently purchased a bottle palm and noticed there was a very small cut and a few ants coming out of the base when I pulled one of  the boots off. Does this cause damage to the palm? A how do I get rid of the ants??

 

[JLM]

Ive had to deal with ants with my Foxtail since i got it last year, they havent gone away. Although, this situation is different because the ants were not *inside* of the palm, but rather in the soil. I dont see the ants being much of a problem, but if they are digging into your palm, i would assume something isnt right.

[John2468]

I see ants coming in and out of the base of the palm where I can't see it, I'm not sure if they are digging or nesting under it. Is there something I could use to seal it?

[John2468]

There were also some aphids when I cut the boots off.

[lzorrito]

20 hours ago, John2468 said:

I see ants coming in and out of the base of the palm where I can't see it, I'm not sure if they are digging or nesting under it. Is there something I could use to seal it?

Ants usually harvest aphids of all kind around the palms, mostly on wet shaded sheltered spots, like new spears, in the crown, or even at stem base, like yours.
One thing you must keep an eye on, Aphids! They are closely related with mold and fungal issues, that's the main concern. Wash/blast them out, ants usually decrease their activity afterwards. Oh, and ants are not easy to wipe out. They'll keep on showing up form time to time.

 

20 hours ago, John2468 said:

There were also some aphids when I cut the boots off.

Those are the sort of spots where aphids thrive, you must keep an eye on it, and clean them often.

[PalmX]

21 hours ago, John2468 said:

There were also some aphids when I cut the boots off.

How did you take the old boots off the bottle palm?

I have one that I just can't get off. I figured it's not ready, but it's completely dead and grey.

[John2468]

I use a scissor and cut it close to the trunk as possible, it’s a time consuming work.

[John2468]

Also would that wound hurt the palm? 

[lzorrito]

3 hours ago, John2468 said:

I use a scissor and cut it close to the trunk as possible, it’s a time consuming work.

Use a good x-act. There are good threads about it on the forum, some precisely about H. lagenicaulis. Make a custom search, you'll find some valued information.