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Are Ant Hills Good or Bad for a Flower Bed?

Flower beds are attractive to ants. It has loose soil perfect for digging their nests. It also provides several food sources either through the flowers or through the human activity usually in close proximity to the flowers. While ant hills might be unattractive and a nuisance, in most cases they are actually beneficial to the flowers. But if you decide you don't want the ants around, you can easily get rid of them without using pesticides.

  1. Causes

    • Ants are attracted to flower beds because they provide them with several sources of food. Ants may feed on the nectar-producing glands, known as extrafloral nectaries, or on nectar from the flower. Ants are also predators and will feed on the insects that the flower attracts. In this last instance, ants can serve as a benefit. Ants are the leading predator against insects and can help keep insect populations in check.

    Aphids and Mites

    • The one time ants definitely need to be controlled is if you are having trouble with aphids or mites. Ants have a mutualistic relationship with these insects. Ants protect the aphids and mites from natural predators like ladybugs. Meanwhile, the aphids and mites produce honeydew that the ants harvest for food.

    Ants and Peonies

    • At one time, people believed that ants were required for peony flowers to open. That's because ants were often observed on the flower buds shortly before they opened. Scientists now know that scales on the flower bud exude a sap rich in carbohydrate. Ants collect this sap and use it for food. Without ants, peonies will still open.

    Control

    • Chemical control of ant nests is rarely required. Unsightly ant hills that get too large can be raked down. Simply disturbing the nest by flooding it with water will usually cause the ants to move. Of course, they can move to an even more undesirable location. Diatomaceous earth, which is the fossilized shell remains of diatoms, spread on top of flower beds will kill some types of ants. Spreading aromatic cedar mulch on top of flower beds will help reduce ant hills.

    Fire Ants

    • Red imported fire ants (RIFA) also like to build nests in flower beds. RIFA are found in the southern United States. They are aggressive and defend their nests by biting and stinging anyone or anything that disturbs them. They can also damage flowers by feeding on the developing flower buds. Consult with your local county extension office when dealing with RIFA nests to determine the best method of controlling them

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Growing Flowers
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  10. Which Artificial Flower Colors Are Good for a Home?
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