Ant
Ants get blamed a lot in our everyday lives. They can get into our pantries at home, ruin a nice picnic, or just annoy you while trying to read a book outside. But at the Rose Tree garden, they are only beneficial.
Insect Identification
Images
Adult Ant
Damage
In the garden, ants cause no damage and are responsible for zero garden problems. They are often blamed for issues due to their proximity to a damaged or dying plant, but they are often there because of the culprit. Often that pest is the aphid. As aphids suck the juices out of our plants, they excrete a substance called honeydew which is essentially sugary poop. Ants enjoy that sugary food source and will hang around aphids, often protecting them to maintain that food supply. Large concentrations of ants may indicate an aphid problem.
Affected Plants
None
Management
No management of ants is necessary. Do not spray them or use any type of chemical to control their numbers. They are a natural part of the ecosystem and are needed for a healthy garden. If you notice an area of your garden contains large numbers of them early in the season, avoid that area for a day or two. They are actively establishing their homes after disturbance of the soil.