Will Ants Eat Roots?

Carpenter Ants

• Carpenter ants do not eat wood, but instead chew through wood to make tunnels that support their colony. Carpenter ants always construct nests in moist wood and sometimes choose tree roots, if less suitable environments are not available nearby. Carpenter ants that nest in tree roots disrupt the tree's ability to acquire and distribute water and nutrients to the rest of the tree. While carpenter ant infestations rarely kill mature trees, the additional stress increases the vulnerability of the tree to secondary pest infestations and disease.

Harvester Ants

• Harvester ants clear out large areas of grass from around the base of their colony. The pile of foliage on top of their mound helps conserve soil moisture and insulate the nest from hot summer temperatures. The process of removing the foliage of turf grass and native grasses exposes the upper roots to direct sunlight and causes them to die, resulting in large, bald areas around harvester ant nests.

Red Imported Fire Ants

• Red imported fire ants are a significant invasive pest throughout the Southeastern United States. Native to South America, red imported fire ants construct conspicuous mounds in sunny locations. The ants will sometimes girdle the roots and bark of nearby trees for moisture during periods of drought. Look for a trail of ants near the base of the tree as well as a 12- to 18-inch dirt mound nearby to confirm fire ant damage. Fire ants can inflict a painful sting when disturbed and are best treated by professional exterminators to prevent further damage to your tree.

General Aeration Damage

• Many species of ants construct an elaborate network of underground tunnels to support their colony. These tunnels are often beneficial for the environment since they help aerate the soil. However, ant tunnels near garden plant roots near the soil surface reduce a plant's ability to acquire nutrients and moisture from the soil, leading to root dessication. Dry roots often result in stunted plant growth or wilted foliage. In addition, ant tunnels expose the roots to terrestrial insect pests that would not otherwise have access to plant roots in the soil.