Too many bugs on Trumpet Creeper Tree

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

So I just bought a trumpet creeper tree without realizing the hell it would put me through I planted it right by the front door....big mistake. It's beautiful, but there are HUNDREDS of bugs on it ranging from ants, flies and wasps. I've put anti ant stakes in the ground all around it, put anti ant seed stuff down on the mulch, put up fly glue traps AND a fly bag trap that smells like a literal bog of eternal stench (Labyrinth reference hey what's up).

I didn't get any traps for the wasps because they haven't stung me yet and I don't want to start a war I won't win, but the flies and ants DO have to go. They are so annoying and it makes my otherwise healthy/pretty tree look like poop. So my next option is spraying the shit outta it with pesticide. Can anyone tell me which kind is best? Or an alternate method I haven't tried yet? Thanks! :) *Excuse my french btw sorry

Edit: There have also been a few Japanese beetles on the flowers, but they mostly stay off it in favor of eating my roses >_>

Featured Answer

mblan13

8 years ago

Spraying a lot of pesticide will not be good for the hummers and beneficial insects. There is that problem with plants that produce sweet nectar....a lot of critters like them, and many are not welcome! They will produce like crazy and start popping up everywhere. I'd get rid of it.

Planting too close to the home or outbuilding could result in damage from the vine’s creeping roots so it’s important that you plant the vine some distance from the home. They can work their way under shingles and even cause damage to foundations.

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Comments (10)

User
Original Author
8 years ago
lol don't worry I have a lot of experience with vines and know how to handle invasive ones. I prune back hard and keep a close eye on them haha. I did end up buying an insect 'soap' spray, but it doesn't really work too well pffft. There's also no way in hell I'm getting rid of it, it was $180! lol It'll be fine once it stops blooming tho so I'll just endure lol thanks!
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floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
8 years ago
For the ants you could try a sticky band around the trunk since they arrive by climbing rather than flying in.
kimmq
8 years ago
What are the ants doing that might require you to repel them?

The wasps may be beneficial insects helping to control the bad guys and gals.

There are some 8,000,000 species of insects identified in the world of which some 8,000 are insect pests. The rest are either beneficial or simply innocuous. As you have found most repellents and most pesticides stink and do not always work. Spraying stuff to kill a few bad insects will also kill off the good insects.
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
“I know how to handle invasive ones.”

Ummm. . . Have you read any of the threads about trumpet vines on this forum? It isn’t just a matter of pruning, though you will need to do a lot of that. You will also need to control underground spread as well, and it will just laugh at your sidewalk as far as being a barrier and head for the lawn via underground suckers, easily popping up several feet away. Judging from the color, this may be one of the slightly less aggressive selections, but read about some other folks’ trumpet vines and be forewarned.

Here is a thread you might want to read:

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/how-to-get-rid-of-trumpet-vine-dsvw-vd~2203179?n=104[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/how-to-get-rid-of-trumpet-vine-dsvw-vd~2203179?n=104)

I think it may be easier to get rid of in colder zones, but it is still a real challenge to keep under control.

I am another person who advises that insects are an important part of nature and your garden. If you don’t like them being so close to the house, move the plant further away so that you can enjoy the flowers without seeing the various insects. Beware that fly glue traps can snare the hummingbirds, so please get rid of those. As floral suggested, you can put a band of sticky material around the trunk to keep the ants off, and spraying the plants down with water will remove aphids that they may be attracted to. Your stinky trap may well be attracting additional flies to the area.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
8 years ago
In response to kimmq. Ants per se are not detrimental. It is their role in encouraging aphids which is the problem. Plus the OP doesn't want them.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
8 years ago
$180 bucks for a trumpet vine!!!!! Somebody saw you coming :-)
wantonamara Z8 CenTex
8 years ago
Get rid of that plant or move it as far away from the house as possible. $180 is pennies compare to the damage that plant can do to your house. It is a devil plant. It see structures as something to conquer and eat. Please head these warnings. Read the links

How to get rid of Trumpet Vine

Neighbors Trumpet Vine

Invasive Trumpet Vine

Their's more on the search function.
User
Original Author
8 years ago
ah alright, I didn't know about the roots damaging structures, though it makes sense for a vine. And what I meant by dealing with invasive vines before, I meant Wisteria which I have planted in a pot. Might dig the tree back up and do the same for it, thanks for the tips.
wantonamara Z8 CenTex
8 years ago
It will dig into your siding, and go under your house, go into your attic. Take it away from your house while you still can.