You have observed ants in the garden and are wondering what the animals eat? Here you will get an overview of the typical food sources of the ants native to Europe.
What do ants eat in the garden?
Ants eat seeds, sweet fruit residues, honeydew and small garden waste. In addition, many ants also eat otherinsectsand their larvae. This makes the ants useful in pest control. In addition, ants shredgarden waste and prepare it to decompose into humus.
What kind of garden waste do ants eat?
Ants eat, among other things,seeds, fruits and otherorganic materials. This means that the ants in the garden act like a useful biological waste disposal system. They transport excess seeds away. Even fruit residues with a high sugar content quickly attract ants. The animals eat the fruit so that it doesn't rot in the garden and also feed on plant sap.
What kind of insects do ants eat in the garden?
Some species of antseatalsopests such as caterpillars, larvae and pupae of other insects. The garden ant or the meadow ant also provides you with good help in combating many other pests. The animals often eat the offspring of other insects and are therefore particularly effective. For this reason, you can consider yourself lucky if ants find their way into your garden. The animals definitely have a great benefit.
Are Ants' Eating Habits Useful for Gardens?
Ants make an important contribution to theecological balance in the garden with their feeding habits. They break down materials so that they can then be broken down into humus by microorganisms in the soil. In this way, the animals contribute to humus-rich soil. So you literally prepare good soil for everything that grows in your garden. However, if ants settle in the root ball of a plant, you should fight them. Otherwise problems could arise for the plant.
Do ants eat aphids from the garden?
Ants do not eat aphids, but rather theirExcretions This excretion, known as honeydew, is sticky and sweet and is high on the menu of ants. If a plant is attacked by aphids, it quickly attracts ants. The ants protect the pests from natural enemies such as ladybirds and milk them to get the honeydew. However, if the leaves of the plant continue to stick together, this is not without problems. It hinders plant growth and promotes fungal attack.
Tip
Sweet materials act as an attractant for ants
Ants are typically attracted to sugar or substances containing sugar. If you place these specifically as an attractant, you can either attract or redirect the animals. If too many ants appear, you can still scare them away or fight the ants gently.
