Rhubarb help needed - ant problem

[soph696]

Hi everyone

I think my rhubarb is ready to pick but it looks like a whole colony have set up home under it. Does anyone have any tips to get rid of them as i think they are eating it due to the sweet flavour?

Also, how do you suggest picking the rhubarb.

Best regards,
Sophie

[taff]

ants don't like wet so it could be really dry under there for them to set up home. water it well for a week, they should go.
when you pull it, grab hold of the stick near the bottom, and pull firmly and twist your wrist either right or left at the same time.

[rustylady]

Ants don't eat rhubarb.

[soph696]

Ok thank you. The plant is now covered in these tiny black bugs can these harm it? Any suggetions for killing them?

Thanks again

[rustylady]

I think your black bugs could be blackfly, though I've never had them on rhubarb. They are probably the reason you had the ant problem - they farm aphids.

[Two_Sheds]

Any suggetions for killing them?

Two fingers: squish