Ants are social insects that live in organized colonies containing workers, queens, and reproductive individuals. They are common in gardens and may build nests in soil, beneath stones, inside plant debris, near tree roots, or around structures. Their colonies can contain large numbers of individuals.

Ants provide several ecological benefits. They can move soil, recycle organic material, disperse certain seeds, and provide food for other animals. However, some ant species can become problematic because they protect aphids, scale insects, and other honeydew-producing pests in exchange for sugary secretions.

Heavy ant activity on plant stems or young shoots can therefore sometimes indicate an underlying aphid or scale infestation. Inspect leaves and stems carefully for small sap-feeding insects, sticky honeydew, curled leaves, or dark sooty mold. Treating the ants alone may not solve the underlying problem.

Effective management should focus on the actual cause of the problem. Control significant aphid or scale infestations when necessary, remove food sources around garden structures, and reduce unwanted nesting locations. If ants are nesting in a problematic area, physical barriers, habitat modification, or appropriately labeled control products may be used.