Ants aren't your enemy

摘要

WHEN YOU WANDER through your lawn or garden and stumble across an anthill, a small mound of soil molded into tiny pellets, it's often a gardener's first instinct to destroy it. You stomp and kick until the small hill disappears and the tiny ants scurry off. But by doing so, you're actually doing a disservice to your garden. Though most gardeners find these anthills a nuisance, they are our first clue to the important, helpful roles ants play in gardens and lawns—they're tiny roto-tillers. Tunnelingants turn over as much soil as earthworms do, aerating the soil and redistributing nutrients. Ants are also part of the world recycling crew: acting as scavengers, collecting dead insects and turning them into fertilizer for your soil.