black eggs on ninebark branches - Ask Extension
My ninebark bushes have millions of black eggs on the tender ends of the branches. There are significant black ants either attending the eggs or eatin...
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black eggs on ninebark branches #873615
Asked June 18, 2024, 1:17 PM EDT
My ninebark bushes have millions of black eggs on the tender ends of the branches. There are significant black ants either attending the eggs or eating them. Do you know what is going on?
Houston County Minnesota
Expert Response
I think they are aphids and the ants are hearing the aphid secretion called honeydew.
Thank you for your quick response. I cut all of the stems that were covered with the eggs. Did I damage the bushes by doing this? Should I have just left them alone?
There isn’t any need to cut off the branches. The aphids are easily crushed by stroking the stem and smooshing them. The aphids can also be blasted off with a hose. Your ninebark will be fine they tolerate lots of pruning.
