ANTS in the Garden -  Ants in the Lawn

Surprisingly, ants are not quite the friends we once thought.  Although ants are often seen swarming over plants in the garden which are infested with aphids, attracted by the sweet honeydew, (produced by the aphids,) ants can actually promote the spread of aerial aphids, and increase the activity of root aphids.

 Ants in the lawn are pest through and through, as anyone who has sat on an ant infested lawn will tell you.

However, the gardeners' biggest problem with ants in the garden is their nest-building capacity, which can damage plant roots, soil structure, and cause poor plant performance and death. 

And if that's not enough! Ants attack ripe fruit, so, wherever possible, fruit trees should be grease-banded and any ant nests located and treated with insect dust/spray. Always follow directions on the packet. For ants in the lawn, it may be better to try some Ant Kill gel liquid placed upon a small piece of plastic or glass - where it will not be soaked up by the surface. The ants are attracted to the sugary content of the gel, only to take in the powerful insecticide that is also present. They then take this down into their nest where the poison is spread throughout.

This view from Ian
Whilst ants are not a pest and do some benefit in the garden. Most people do not like a ant setting up house under their patio or in their lawn.
A sure fire way to get rid of them is mix a small bottle of clove oil (from the chemist) in a large watering can with a rose sprinkler. Quickly water this over the area the ants have set up home ........ and stand back! First you will see the flying ants leaving the nest in droves, the soldier ants will follow them on foot. Tried tested and never failed.
Ian, Newcastle