Ants are a common sight in gardens, where their colonies can sometimes cause problems for plants. They can disturb soil around roots, and certain species actively protect sap-sucking pests like aphids for the sweet honeydew they produce. Fortunately, a diverse ecosystem of wildlife naturally manages these populations, acting as biological control agents. Understanding which creatures prey on ants allows a gardener to foster a healthier, more balanced environment.
Small-Scale Invertebrate Hunters
Many of the most immediate ant predators are other invertebrates, which hunt them at various life stages, including eggs, larvae, and adults. The antlion larva constructs conical pits in loose soil or sand to trap passing ants, waiting at the bottom to seize the ant with its large jaws. Ground beetles are active, nocturnal hunters that patrol the soil surface for small prey, consuming ants along with other small insects and larvae. Certain spiders, such as jumping spiders and wolf spiders, are opportunistic predators that readily capture ants they encounter. Specialized hunters include parasitic wasps, which target ant eggs and larvae to lay their own eggs inside them, preventing the next generation of ants from developing.
Amphibians and Reptiles That Patrol the Garden
Cold-blooded animals like frogs, toads, and various lizards are effective, low-to-the-ground ant consumers. Toads are especially effective in garden settings, as they are terrestrial and patiently wait for ants. When an ant comes within range, the toad uses a rapid extension of its long, sticky tongue to capture the prey instantly. Small, active reptiles such as skinks and anoles constantly move through the leaf litter and low vegetation, where they actively hunt ant trails. Even small, non-venomous snakes, like the smooth green snake, include ants in their diet, ensuring populations are managed across various microhabitats.
Birds and Small Mammals as Ant Consumers
Larger, warm-blooded animals control ants by accessing entire colonies or consuming large quantities of foraging workers. Ground-feeding birds probe the soil and turf to find nests and larvae; the Northern Flicker, a type of woodpecker, is known for feeding directly on the ground to consume ants. Robins and wrens also forage on lawns and garden beds, targeting the ant brood (eggs and larvae) when they discover shallow nests. Small mammals, such as shrews and skunks, are opportunistic insectivores that disrupt ant colonies. Shrews consume ants found in the soil, while skunks use strong claws to dig up and consume entire ant nests, including the queen and brood.
How to Attract Natural Ant Predators
Encouraging these natural predators is a sustainable way to keep ant numbers manageable in the garden. The most important step is to reduce or eliminate the use of broad-spectrum pesticides, which harm beneficial insects and the animals that feed on them. A healthy insect population provides a consistent food source that attracts larger predators like birds and mammals. Providing clean water sources, such as a bird bath or a shallow dish, attracts birds and is necessary for amphibians like toads. Creating shelter by leaving small, undisturbed brush piles, log piles, or rock stacks offers safe refuge for skinks, ground beetles, and toads, while planting native shrubs and flowers supports the insect diversity required to sustain the entire food chain.