Ants bury and construct their nests underneath the ground, disturbing plant roots and causing them to wilt and grow slowly. As the ants come to the surface, they deposit small heaps of fine soil, which may bury low growing plants or simply look unsightly. However, they do not feed on plants and cause relatively little damage.

Control

Ants are very difficult to eliminate, and it is often easier simply to tolerate their presence. In extreme cases, water plants or the site of the nest with pirimiphos-methyl, carbaryl or HCH.