Ants & Jimmy Stewart

 

 

Who has been stung by an ant and thought, “Ants are good! They’re an important part of our environment!” Probably no one in that particular moment! But as annoying as ants can sometimes be, they actually play several important roles in the ecosystem.

There are thousands of ant species around the world, and these tiny insects have been around for millions of years. Their highly organized colonies, ability to communicate, and adaptability have helped make them incredibly successful.

 
 

Ants Are Impressive Little Workers

 

• They work together. Ant colonies are highly organized, with different members performing different jobs. They communicate, cooperate, find food, defend their colonies, and adapt to changes in their environment. We humans could probably take a few lessons from these tiny guys!

• They’re predators and scavengers. Many ant species feed on other insects and their eggs or larvae, including some pests we don’t particularly want around our homes and gardens. Exactly what they eat depends on the ant species.

• They help clean things up. Many ants feed on dead insects, other small animals, and organic material, helping break down and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem.

• They’re tiny soil engineers. As ants build nests and tunnels, they move soil and create channels that can influence air and water movement. Earthworms deserve plenty of credit for their work too, but ants are doing their share beneath our feet!

• Some ants help spread plants. Certain plants produce seeds with structures that attract ants. The ants carry these seeds back toward their nests, helping disperse them away from the parent plant.

 
 

But I Still Don’t Want Them Biting Me!

 

I realize ants do plenty of good work, but that doesn’t mean I want fire ants taking over the yard!

Instead of automatically treating the entire landscape for every insect, consider identifying the pest first and choosing a control method that targets the actual problem. Broad-spectrum insecticides can also affect beneficial insects when they’re exposed, so use pesticides only as directed and follow the product label carefully.

For fire ants, treatment options include individual mound treatments and fire ant baits, as well as other products specifically labeled for fire ant control. The best choice depends on how many mounds you’re dealing with and the area that needs treatment.

Whatever product you choose, follow the label for application rates, timing, watering instructions, and precautions around people, pets, pollinators, and edible plants.

 
 

They’re Annoying—but Important!

 

Ants are a little like Jimmy Stewart in “It’s a Wonderful Life”—the world really is a better place with them in it.