Can Ants Kill a Tree?
WouterKeeping an eye out for ants and trees is important, especially if you have young trees or live in an area that is susceptible to ant infestation. However, it is important to remember that most ants don’t really damage the trees they live on. And ants can actually be helpful in some ways.
For example, they are good at finding the aphids that can harm trees. They can also help keep the soil aerated around the trees. And they have the best organic compost.
However, ants aren’t the only type of insects that can harm trees. For example, fungal disease or pruning wounds can also injure a tree. And certain insects, such as red imported fire ants, can burrow through the tree and kill it from the inside.
In fact, ants can do more damage than you may think. For instance, they can create holes in the bark of your tree and leave behind a sticky substance. They can also leave behind a sooty mold colony. This type of colony may blacken your tree’s leaves, and can be dangerous.
The first documented case of ants boring into a live tree was by American Naturalist author and botanist Richard Spruce. The ants’ accomplishment was not without controversy, however. Some scientists believe that the hollows in ant-plants are actually a normal plant development.
Another important ant feat is the way the ant colony spreads out to form satellite colonies. If you have an ant infestation, it’s important to find out how you can control it. This will help prevent the ants from spreading to other trees and structures.
