Ants can be found in every garden, which is a good thing: the little creatures are extremely useful. However, if you appear more in the flower bed, there may be less pleasant reasons behind it. In this case, the crawlers must be expelled. With a few completely non-toxic tricks, relocating usually works without any problems.
Ants usually do not harm the flowers
Are ants harmful?
First of all, ants are not usually harmful, even if they have nested in the middle of the root system. There is a good reason for this behavior, because ants like dry and bright locations, but they have to protect their brood from the blazing sun. Because of this, they are mostly found underground. However, you should become suspicious if the animals suddenly multiply in numbers in your flower bed between lupins, sunflowers and roses.
Ant plague often an indicator of aphid infestation
In this case you should examine the plants very carefully, as ant colonies are often found near large concentrations of aphid and plant aphid colonies. In particular, the ants keep aphids as pets in order to harvest the sweet honeydew - i.e. the excrements - of the same. To this end, they care for the aphids, defend them from predators and ensure that the little animals suck more and thus release even more honeydew. The aphids can be reliably driven away with a powerful jet of water and various household remedies, but you also have to declare war on the ants. Otherwise, the aphids will quickly return.
Getting rid of ants - Here's how
You don't have to kill the animals straight away. Instead, place an inverted clay pot lined with wood shavings near the current nest. Experience has shown that the crawlers and their brood quickly move in there, which you can observe well. When the move is complete, simply slide a board or plate under the pot and carry the vessel to another location. Here the animals can resettle without disturbing a gardener. By the way, you can also drive ants away by making you uncomfortable: the animals like it dry and warm, pour water on their nest and they will quickly flee and look for a more pleasant nesting place.
tips
Ants can be reliably driven away by certain scents. Lavender and chervil in the flower bed as well as a layer of mulch mixed with cinnamon do not allow the animals to settle in the first place.