Ants

Ants have become one of the most common pests in lawns, disfiguring the surface and disturbing the soil around the roots. Ants are an important part of the natural balance within the garden, and should be tolerated whenever possible. 

More than 30 species of ants may be found in the UK, living in nests that contain numerous different ants: sterile females known as workers, fertile males or drones and one or more fertile females called queens. The worker ants maintain, guard and enlarge the nest, feed the larvae and gather food for the whole colony. Reproduction is the role of the drones and queens. 

Ant colonies are highly organised and efficient, consisting of interconnected tunnels and chambers which each serve a specific purpose. Ants meticulously excavate an intricate network of tunnels which allow passage to the different chamber and the worker ants to carry out their duties. The queen resides in the royal chamber in the centre of the colony, dedicated to reproduction and ensuring continuation. 

Ants feed mainly on other invertebrates and do little direct damage to plants, but when an infestation occurs problems can arise in the lawn. As the ants dig to build their tunnels and chambers, so soil is disturbed around the plant roots and deposited on the surface of the lawn, forming ant hills. These make the lawn uneven and cause scalping when mowing, with the soil being smeared over otherwise healthy grass, and disturbance of the roots can lead to damage and leaf yellowing. 

Ants should be accommodated in the garden as far as possible. Ant hills on the lawn may be dispersed by brushing the area on a dry day, ahead of mowing. Ant nests are best left alone unless they are causing significant issues. Even if the colony is destroyed, it is likely that a new queen will take up residence leading to further nests. 

Control with pesticides is generally unnecessary and ineffective. As with some other pests, professional application of nematodes can be beneficial to the control of ants in the lawn.