Ant Hills: Should You Let Them Stay Or Go?

Understandably, most people's initial reaction to finding an ant hill isn't very positive, especially if it is in the middle of a pristine lawn. Apart from the mess, there could be several thousand insects in there. Under the right conditions, they can breed quickly, causing the hill to grow rapidly in size as a result. Given this, a lot of people will look for ways to get rid of ant hills in their yard. Yet ants can also be good for the garden. Some species eat aphids, protecting your plants from these destructive pests. Others eat pests like fleas and the larvae of flies. They can also aerate the soil and act as pollinators, which is handy if you grow fruit and vegetables.

So, should you let the ants stay or get rid of them? If there's a hill in a prime location of your lawn, then you can eliminate it with a shovel, a common tool you probably already own. If it's in some out-of-the-way part of the yard where it's not causing a direct problem, the answer is not so simple. The decision should depend on what type of ants you have.

With as many as 1,000 different species of ants in the U.S., telling good from bad can be a bit of a challenge. Fortunately, there are a number of websites that can help with identification. Generally speaking, of the ants that commonly build hills, black ants are probably the most beneficial. Argentine ants are harmless, but their sheer numbers can cause problems. Texas leafcutters can sting, though it is relatively mild compared to other species. However, as the name suggests, they can quickly chew through your plants. Fire ants are known for painful stings and are very aggressive, so you'll want to deal with them fast, but do so carefully.

This may be just the tip of the iceberg — or in this case, the ant hill. Many ants build their nests underground. Among the most common are pavement ants and odorous house ants. These aren't dangerous but can be a nuisance if they work their way indoors. Carpenter ants, on the other hand, can be extremely destructive and need to be dealt with immediately, as infestations can cause structural damage to your home. If the ant hill needs to go, you can try natural ways to get rid of them. However, if you're seeing them pop up on a regular basis, it would be a good idea to call a pest control specialist for an inspection.