Ants nest in my greenhouse

[youngandkeen]

I discovered today that i have an ants nest in my greenhouse.
I thought It odd that there was sand around the base of one of my tubs, once I lifted it up I uncovered the nest which I presume is actually under one of the paving slabs.
Lots of small orange ants!
Are they friend or foe? I dont think ants affect the plants please correct me if I am wrong.
Do I leave them or get rid?
Any advice appreciated, thank you.

[Pinfold Plotter]

The red ones can bite. If you keep the area in which they are nesting wet, they will find somewhere else. Ive also read that sprinkling cinnamon around the nest puts them off too. I did read somewhere that ants can change the ph of the soil, but I can't find it so I may have been dreaming!

[Bigmallly]

Ants munched half my strawberries so yes they do affect plants so get rid if you can. Boiling water is supposed to do the trick.

[CaroltheCarrot]

Yep, kettle full of boiling water will shift the little gits

[youngandkeen]

The kettle it was!! Job done. Thanks for the advice

[chris]

If the nest is deep down though, you'd be better off getting the nematodes suited for ants. They work amazingly well

[binley100]

I've heard that upending a pot over the nest will encourage them to move up into it then you can tip it out somewhere for the birds to feast on ......

[darcyvuqua]

yep they do bite i have a few nests on my allotment sat down after clearing most of it last weekend and boy oh boy they got me everywhere i have only have the allotment 23 days and bit to the high heaven

[youngandkeen]

They must be deep down like you said Chris as they've pushed sand back up where I poured the boiling water!
I will get some nematodes and give them a try as you suggested.
Do you think its worth me pouring some more boiling water again in the mean time?
I feel a bit cruel, but dont fancy getting bitten that sounds horrible poor you
Thanks for the advice guys

[veggiechicken]

More boiling water!! What about that Nippon antkiller? I use it in the house sometimes. A drop of gel and the ants take it back into their nest - seems to work!

[youngandkeen]

I used more boiling water. I also discovered 2 more nests in the garden, one under my pot of mint and one on the lawn. Orange ants again, I got the boiling water onto both of them.
Was thinking about using ant powder but was not sure if I can use it in my greenhouse?

[rustylady]

Just be aware that pouring boiling water onto your lawn will kill the grass.

[youngandkeen]

Im so glad you told me that thank you

[snohare]

Supposedly using Nutrasweet will get them, I hear they take it back to the Queen and she gets poisoned by it. On account of it is a pesticide, which a mad chemist one day discovered tasted incredibly sweet ...so now they market it as an artificial sweetener !

[youngandkeen]

Oh wow really??? May have to give it a go, will let you know what happens