Ants are part of Ma Natures recycling machine, along with earthworms, pill bugs, sow bugs, centipedes, and all of the other wee critters we may see or not see that are part of the Soil Food Web. As some of us have learned over time we may be able to eliminate one ant nest only to find other ants will move in to the vacancy.

Some ants can be problems and may need some control, but over all they are more beneficial than not.

kimmq is kimmsr

Ants are a mixed bag. I would say that in lawns and flower gardens they can help. If you have ants in your vegetable garden they could be causing as much harm as good. One of the more common species of ants in New England "farm" aphids. I wouldn't go out of your way to remove any ants you have in your garden unless you are find yourself with a aphid epidemic.

I'll keep ants that are are not in a bag spot just so they'll help eat the chiggars!

Not all ants farm aphids, even when they do it's not too big a deal. The aphids are going to be there regardless. The ants just protect them from beneficial bugs. Just wipe, or spray them away. In fact, the ants make it easier to see where the aphids might be on your plants.

I never worry about ants, and have never had a problem. Before earthworms found their way to North America a few hundred years ago, ants were one of the main tenders, and tillers of the soil. They can dig through clay much better, and more efficiently than worms. They aerate, add organic matter, and even allow moisture into the soil. In short, as mentioned above, unless they are one of the aggressive species, like fire ants, I never worry about them being in the yard or garden.

Aphids are more attracted to plants with lush green growth which may indicate too much Nitrogen in the nutrient mix and they are quite easily controlled with a sharp spray of water that knocks the wee buggers off the plants. Observation over many years indicates, to me, that ants carry Aphids to their nests but not back.

kimmq is kimmsr