ants on tips of grape vines

[greg]

I have some grape vines growing on an overhang attached to the house. The plant is doing very well, some vines are starting to cover the overhang.

Problem is that the tips of the vines, growing toward the house, are covered with tiny ants. I don't really want the ants on the house.

Any ideas about how to keep the ants off the vines so the vines can continue growing closer to the house?

[<bluesalyxx]

the ants are there because there's probably been some kind of damage done to the vine (beetles, catepillars, etc). the ants come for the "dew" or sap.

my suggestion is that you grow some tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) close to your house, especially near where the vine is) AND once the flowers have bloomed and dried up, cut the tansy down to the ground and hang up to dry. once you have dried leaves (they must be VERY VERY DRY), tuck the dried leaves into any openings where ants ordinarily come in...including in your cellar, if you have one. the tansy growing and the dried tansy will absolutely keep ants from coming into your house!