Ants in above ground garden

[Guest]

Strange question: fire ants have built a mound in my above ground garden. I was about to poison them and got to thinking that they might come in handy to control other pests like grubs and worms that might eat my tomatoes and peppers. What are your thoughts? They are not really bothering anything, even when the crop comes in since they are in the far corner away from the plants.

[thedreamers]

The bad thing about fire ants and carpenter ants is when they are disturbed they attack, and they hurt when they bit. We kill them off as soon as possible.

[Swordarm4]

They will also go after the sugars and starches in the stalks and roots of you plants. Irradiate them asap is my suggestion

[SeldomSeenSlim]

The ones we have here are a bit different than the ones out your way. Larger and not as aggressive.

I've never had a problem with them around my garden and I'd leave them be unless they're causing a problem. Though I tend to lean that way with everything. I'm not big on poisons and chemicals or killing something just because it's there. I'm not sure how much pest control they do. I'd think if they got far enough in to reach to plants they'd eat that along with anything else in the way. There are some dead patches in my pasture that they've cleaned out but the ones around my raised beds seem content in staying outside.

[tech]

If they aren't aggressive SSS, then they aren't fire ants :) These are the ones that will literally swarm a small child (or other small animal) and bite them to death. The bites burn like fire and will typically swell and fill with pus (while still burning). During a flood, they will float on top of their dead like a raft - and you really don't want to disturb them at that time.

Fire ants one redeeming quality is that they are natural enemies of termites...I hate fire ants, but hate termites even more.

If the fire ants are in your raised beds, check the supports for termites. If none, then kill the ants!!!

[WiseOwl]

They love okra. They would eat my okra before I could pick it.

[Swordarm4]

Also if you're worried about pesticides , I have found that urine will make them leave. Plus the small traces of nitrogen can be good for your plants .

[BioG8r]

Fire Ants can be a real issue, The biting and pus filled bites can lead to scarring and have been known to get infected especially with children. They will take up residence nearly anywhere and are hard to get rid of without chemicals. Many have used dry cream of wheat, the ants take it back to the nest eat it then swell and die.
We had them come into our home in florida during heavy flooding. Went for the bed, not a great way to wake up. I am usually against the use of chemicals if there are alternatives... in the case of fire ants KILL them anyway you can!!

[claymore]

Saw a tv show on them; BAD news. Killer bee mentality !