Could Ants be living in my Fruit Tree

Hi
When i came to work in some fish blood & bone into my potted fruit tree (don't what type of fruit - freebie) ants suddenly emerged from the soil. Sounds weird but am sure I can a hear a noise when I water it and finally I noticed the terracotta pot its in is completely covered in a white powder like substance. Should I abandon it completely? Thank you.

 

No, but you could probably repot it and remove the ants nest as you do it.

 

Ants often build nests in the nice fine compost in pots, especially if you just place them on bare soil.
They move up from the ground through the drainage holes.
Sometimes just moving the pot sorts out the problem, it depends on how much of the nest is in the pot.
Its not good as they loosen the soil around the roots and the plant can't draw up water properly.

 

I sometimes submerse mine in water for a couple of hours also move to new site as Pete suggested.

 

One of the major problems with ants in compost is that they acidify the soil. Ants produce formic acid and it really does plants no good at all.

 

Thank you I'll try it.

 

The pot was on a paving stone all winter then a wooden sleeper but moved it last week mostly because I didn't want it to infest my other potted plants. I'll repot it and keep fingers crossed many thanks

 

Ill repot it and keep fingers crossed.
Could the formic acid cause the white powder on the outside of the terracotta pot too? Thank you

 

Thank you I'll try it.

 

Hans the bucket of water seems to have done the trick, new growth appearing

 

good show.