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Tree paint?

postholedigger - 6-20-2009 at 10:16 PM

I've noticed that (not just in Baja) people paint the bottoms of their trees a white color. I heard that it has to do with helping to ward off ants/aphids. Does anyone know the skinny on that? Is it true? If so, what is it and where does one go about purchasing it? I have a friend who's property is covered with ants and they can frequently be seen ferrying stuff up and down the trees.

mtgoat666 - 6-20-2009 at 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by postholedigger
I've noticed that (not just in Baja) people paint the bottoms of their trees a white color. I heard that it has to do with helping to ward off ants/aphids. Does anyone know the skinny on that? Is it true? If so, what is it and where does one go about purchasing it? I have a friend who's property is covered with ants and they can frequently be seen ferrying stuff up and down the trees.

don't think the paint stops insects, but it sure does look ugly.
you got a couple options:
(1) use sticky band around trunk (can get at home despot)
(2) spray leaves with water with soap to kill aphids and sap suckers that are feeding ants
(3) spray ant pesticide around base of trunk
(4) let things be

rpleger - 6-21-2009 at 12:27 AM

They paint the trunks of trees to keep the hot sun off...This is done in tropical and hot areas to protect the tree until it can provide its own shade...sometimes they mix insecticide in the paint to kill good and bad bugs...