"redclay" expounded:

Peonies
do not need ants on them to bloom; if you see ants on them dust with
Rotenone

Why on earth would you do that? The ants aren't necessary, but the
peony attracts them with nectaries, and the ants help protect the bud
from other insects. Killing something just for the sake of killing
them is ridiculous. Those ants aren't doing you any harm. Some
people.....

--
Ann, Gardening in zone 6a
Just south of Boston, MA
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