Ants: useful or harmful?

Ants are a secret world power - you can find them in nature, in the garden, but unfortunately also in the home. We clarify: are ants useful or harming us?

Many people have an ambivalent relationship with ants (Formicidae). With children and grandchildren, the hard-working insects are often observed under a magnifying glass, the heap of a state wood ants fascinated on the walk in the forest - on the other hand, every ant is undesirable as soon as it has one of its six legs on ours Plot sets. Ant traps and all kinds of remedies for fighting the animals are always selling well. This article therefore deals with an important question: are ants useful or harmful to us?

We would like to open your eyes to the unbelievable achievements that ants achieve in nature - whereby they always remain hidden. Then we discuss the presence of ants in the garden and house or in the apartment and show when control makes sense. You will also find information on further articles on the prevention and control of ants - for example with our new one

Plantura ant remedy.

Ants in nature

According to many scientists, ants play a key role in our ecosystems. They are involved in various cycles without the natural networks collapsing. About 200 of the world's (estimated) 15,000 species live in Germany. Because they are almost always underground, their number and importance are regularly underestimated. Unfortunately, the populations of most species are also shrinking. With the discovery of this shrinkage, the role of the little crawlers has been dealt with more intensively. This is what ants do for nature - and therefore also for us.

What do ants do for us and for nature?

• Some species decompose dead wood and thus take on a step in humus formation, which is essential for soils and plants.
• Predatory species eat all kinds of insects themselves, so they also regulate the population of pests, for example, so that they do not multiply unchecked.
• In addition to insects, larger, already dead animals are also eaten. In this way, the nutrients contained in it get back into the natural cycle, including the carbon bound in the dead body.
• Ants also serve as prey for higher living beings themselves. Woodpeckers and wild boars, for example, get plenty of protein through their larvae.
• The seeds of many wild plants are spread by ants.
• The underground activities of ants make them even more important than earthworms in some places. The latter are rarely found, especially in sandy and very acidic soils. Here ants ensure that the soil is mixed, aerated and cemented.
• If ants were to be completely removed from an ecosystem, it would collapse. Radical changes for all parts of the system would be the result.

The reason for the decline in ants is the loss of suitable habitat. The different species are often adapted to special living conditions. The creation of suitable habitats is therefore the only way to save these specialists. This can also happen on areas used for agriculture or forestry - for most ant species, coexistence with humans is not a problem. Myrmecologists (ant researchers) and other natural scientists say in unison: Our native ants can be saved without creating special protective habitats. But the management of our land has to change.

Tip ant farms: Anyone who is very interested in the social life, the building arts and the organization of ants can multiply and observe them in ant farms. These consist of two glass or plexiglass panes and a substrate in which the animals create their nests. Of course, you also need a good deal of background knowledge if you want to run such a farm in a species-appropriate and successful manner.

Ants in the garden

Ants can also be found in our gardens. Most gardeners can get over ants in the lawn or in the beds. Anyone who cannot make friends with them there should first consider the great benefits that the sub-tenants bring to them. The loosening of the subsoil ventilates the roots of the plants, which improves their root growth. In addition, ants are involved in the formation of humus and eat all kinds of insects that could act as pests on our garden plants. Accordingly, before a possible expulsion, one has to consider: Are the animals really disturbing at this point? Can you avoid problems with them, for example, by simply wearing gloves when working in beds?

However, if an ant colony pitched its tents directly on or on your terrace and annoyed them regularly at breakfast in the summer, you should try to get rid of them again. Even if a colony of ants creates huge aphid flocks on your plants, it is understandable that you want to drive them away. Some Home remedies for antsCertain herbs, such as planting, are well suited for outdoor use. In addition, you have already gained a lot if you grout terraces and paths not with sand, but with gravel or paving jointing mortar. No ant colony can nest in these.

Ants in the house or apartment

So ants are usually not a problem in the garden. They pop up in your house or apartment and wander around the kitchen but something needs to be done. Because some species of ants are not only unsavory and unsanitary, some even transmit Illnesses, which is why their presence in hospitals or large kitchens in no case is allowed. Those who are affected by an ant plague often fear that it is due to their own behavior - even an unclean way of life. But ants can invade anyone, the key here is the waterproofing of the house. And there is also a bit of bad luck when an ant trail is created in your kitchen. But there are a few things you can do about it Ants in the house or apartment to avoid, as we have summarized for you in this special article. An effective way of combating it is with our Plantura Ant remedies possible.

Conclusion: are ants useful or harmful?

Ants are very useful not only for natural ecosystems, but also for our gardens and therefore for us. If they appear in our living areas, they quickly become annoying and with a massive infestation of the supplies and with certain types of ants - such as the pharaoh ants (Monomorium pharaonis) - in rare cases they can also be harmful to us. Before the little builders are ruthlessly driven out and fought against, one should always carefully weigh up whether this is really necessary on site. However, you should be uncompromising in your house and apartment in order to rule out the establishment of nests.

Fight ants

If you have not used any preventive measures or if they have not shown any effect, all you can do in the house - or on the balcony or terrace - is to fight the ants. The following steps must be carried out in any case.

How are ants controlled effectively?

1. Removing potential food sources; make all food inaccessible to ants
2. Close entrances to the house, remove any nests or have them removed
3. Wipe all contaminated rooms with a strong smelling cleaner
4. Apply ant remedies of your choice; we recommend our Plantura Ant remediesso as not to endanger you and your children or pets

If you want to read up on the subject of effective control, you will find it in our special article on Ant control find the answers to his questions. The bargain hunters among you can Ant control with home remedies try out. Here you can also find special articles in which we use the Fighting ants with baking soda discuss and the great potential of Cinnamon as a repellent against ants explain.