But the other day my daughter came running inside screaming, "The patio is swarming with ants!" I went out to see what was going on and I see a ton of ants making a line across the lawn and headed directly for the pomegranate tree. They were climbing up the trunk and crawling all over the leaves! By nature, I'm the "live and let live" type when it comes to insects outdoors. So I left them alone, assuming they could do no harm. But this morning I noticed that many of the tree's leaves have shriveled up and I'm afraid that ants will kill the tree or at least ruin the fruit.

Does anyone have any information that can help me?

First of all, why are the ants suddenly attacking this tree?

Can they do real damage?

If so, what is the simplest way to get them to stop and keep them off of the tree?

I prefer a natural remedy to using chemicals, but if only chemicals will help I'm willing to go that route.

Can I cut the flower part off? Are there male and female plants?

I had it in my front yard when the afternoon sun hit it, then I saw it sadly go so I moved it to the back where it can get the morning sun, not as strong. I water it often.

Any help will be helpful, Thank you