Just discovered an ants nest under a rock on the new rockery, will they damage my plants that I am about to plant, or should I destroy them first?
Hate killing things though.
No they don't damage them..you can leave them be.
If you are going to plant next to the nest site..give the ground/planting hole thorough watering first and they move away from the wet soil and don't loosen the soil around new plant thus drying the roots out.. ;)
I have lived in my house for 4 years and never had a problem with them. Went away for a week over easter and the buggers moved in by the front door.
I am with you poppy mole in that I dont like killing anything but I dont want them in my house. May have to get the hhover out and relocate them.
borax and icing sugar mixed, under the cooker or washing machine
I've had a word with them, they can stay outside and be safe, once they come inside, they've had it ;D
Thankfully mine are at the far end of the garden
Ants farm aphids on your plants and also farm scale insect on anything perennial (yuk).
I kill the ants with borax and icing sugar mixed 50:50 (kills the queen - most of the individual ants live out their lives normally).
Then one spray with soft soap to kill the sapsuckers and you're clear.
Better than spraying with something stronger.
Ants can do damage if they pile their nest soil up and cover small plants , control them...