From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Goodwood, Ontario, Canada

I noticed this morning that I have hundreds of tiny red ants in my pumpkin patch. It looks like they are make a nest or feeding off of the organic matter. They are not on my plants. Kill them??? Leave them??? Are they good, bad or simply nothing to think about???

5/26/2012 7:13:11 AM

Breslau, Ontario, Canada

Aphids exude a sweet liquid which is a good food source for the ants, who look after the aphids and 'milk' them with their antennae to get the honeydew. The ants protect the aphids from other predators, and will even herd them around, moving them from one colony to another.

The relationship is called mutualistic, as both species benefit. The ants get food, the aphids get protection

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_symbiotic_relationship_is_there_between_aphid_and_ant#ixzz1vz2rP9xj

5/26/2012 9:51:31 AM

Glosta

Tiny red ants are usually known as European red ants, the sting like a bee and it burns. I have them uncontrollably on my property. they have never bothered the plants. only time I noticed anything was when there was damage on my leaves they removed it. must be the decaying matter thing. but I have never seen them harm a live plant. once they sting you you will want to get rid of them, and if you have small children you will want to keep them away from them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrmica_rubra

6/4/2012 8:57:56 AM

Polson, Montana

try coffe grounds or grits and they will leave

6/4/2012 10:53:10 PM

Goodwood, Ontario, Canada

I sprayed my plants as per my pest control schedule and the ants have disappeared from the hoop house.

6/5/2012 7:56:00 AM

Canada

Coffee grinds do work, I had lots of red ants in patch last season, I added around half a yard of coffee grounds over the fall to 1200 sqft havent seen one yet :-).

6/9/2012 11:22:47 PM