When you are dealing with endless lines of ants marching through your home, it is very easy to be negative about them. Ants are one of the most common household pests in the world, but did you know that ants are also very beneficial to the environment? There are a lot of great reasons for ants to exist, but it is also important to know when to take action. We will help you identify when ants are good and when they should be treated and controlled.
How are Ants Beneficial?
Great for Soil Health
Ants are excellent for the health of your soil. They build extensive tunnel systems underground which helps aerate the soil, allowing air, moisture, and nutrients to penetrate deeper to get to the roots of plants.
Pollination
While we usually think of insects like honeybees and butterflies when we think of pollinators, ants also can help with the process. Plants and flowers often rely on insects and other animals to move the pollen from plant to plant to help with fertilization. As ants forage and move about the environment, they pick up pollen on their bodies and disperse it throughout the area.
Pest Prevention
Even though ants are small, they can still help contribute to the prevention of other garden and household pests. They do this by eating the eggs and larvae of spiders, fleas, flies, bed bugs, cockroaches, and other bugs.
Decomposition
Many environments depend on the work of decomposers to keep the ecosystem healthy. Ants eat many things that are considered organic waste like dead insects and animals, leaves, and plants. Carpenter ants, in particular, are very important in cleaning up forests by decomposing dead and dying trees.
Transportation of Seeds
Ants can forage great distances for food. During this process, they will often transport seeds, nuts, and fruit, from surrounding areas back to the main ant nest. This movement of seeds helps the ecosystem diversify and stay healthy.
When Should You Be Concerned About Ants?
There are many reasons why ants are important, but there are definitely some situations when ants need to be controlled and eliminated.
Nuisances
It is disturbing for most of us to find ants crawling in our homes and on our food. Whenever large numbers of ants enter homes, they are a nuisance, and measures to get rid of them are warranted. The same goes for ants that are ruining yards, driveways, and landscapes by building anthills and nests.
Causing Damage to Property or Health
There are also some specific species of ants that can be especially detrimental. Carpenter ants can damage homes by eating away at the wood, which creates structural weakness and can be costly to fix. Other species like red imported fire ants (RIFA) can harm the environment by driving out native ant species and harm people by giving painful stings. If you are dealing with carpenter ants, RIFA, or other dangerous species, it is wise to consult professionals who can help you with effective ant control.
Ants are interesting creatures with important jobs to do, but they do not belong in your home or business and should not be allowed to put your family at risk. If you are dealing with ant infestations that you can’t get under control, contact Radar Pest Control. We understand and have experience with many different species of ants and can help you get rid of them. Our treatments are safe and non-invasive so that you can stop stressing about the ants and get back to what’s most important. Contact us today for more information. We are your Sunshine Coast pest control specialists!