Ants can cause concern but they are a nuisance rather than destructive pests. They feed mainly on insects, including other ants. They also look for the sweet liquid known as honeydew which is excreted by aphids and some other sap-feeding insects.
Damage
nts protect aphids from attack by ladybirds and other predators in order to secure their supply of honeydew. Increased numbers of aphids may result in more damage to plants. However ants do little damage themselves except by disturbing soil around plant roots and depositing it on the surface during their nest building activities.
Control
Ants protect aphids from attack by ladybirds and other predators in order to secure their supply of honeydew. Increased numbers of aphids may result in more damage to plants. However ants do little damage themselves except by disturbing soil around plant roots and depositing it on the surface during their nest building activities.
Many proprietary ant powders, baits, sprays and aerosols are available which will control ants on the surface but they are less effective in eliminating entire nests. To ensure maximum efficiency it is important that the nests are treated rather than just the foraging ants.