I spotted a bunch of fire ants in my raised garden bed today while I was working. At first, I thought about getting rid of them, but then I saw them dragging off a caterpillar that has been munching on my cabbage. Maybe they could help with pest control, so I'm wondering if I should just let them be. Are fire ants harmful to my plants, or should I be concerned about anything else in my garden?
2 Answers
In my experience, fire ants usually don't damage plants directly. However, they can make gardening a nightmare! If they build mounds, it becomes tough to weed and harvest because they'll swarm you if you disturb their nest. It might be wise to keep your distance, especially if you're prone to ant bites!
Yeah, fire ants can definitely swarm if you get too close. They can hurt if they bite, so it's a good idea to prepare yourself before working near them. If you're just working around the garden, they probably won't affect your plants too much. Just be cautious and try to protect your legs!
Definitely! I've heard those bites are painful. Best to stay alert and maybe wear long pants!