Do Ants Cause Damage in the Garden?
WouterWhether you live in a city or a rural community, you may have to wonder: do ants cause damage in the garden? The answer depends on the type of ant you have and your goals for the property.
There are several types of ants that can cause damage to your garden, including carpenter ants, leafcutter ants, and fire ants. Carpenter ants are known for their ability to hollow out trees, which can result in serious damage to the wood. These ants can also bite gardeners. Fire Ants have been known to tunnel through the root system of plants, leaving a mess in the garden.
Leafcutter ants are reddish brown in color and they will remove the leaves of plants. They are particularly attracted to nectar-rich flowers. These insects can wipe out an entire garden. They also leave big wounds in the leaves of plants.
Ants can also damage potted plants and potting soil. Their nests can cause a lot of damage to plants. They can also cause soil to crumble, which can damage delicate plants.
You can use an ant deterrent to keep ants from roosting on your plants. These barriers should be checked every two weeks to make sure they are still effective.
You can also use an ant-killing nematode. Nematodes are microscopic worms that can kill ants. These worms can be watered into the compost in the late spring. Unlike chemical ant killers, nematodes are safe for children.
