Its best to not disrupt the life around your crops unless you see direct destruction. And even then, you should target treatment to be as specific as possible to what is doing the harm.
Insects regulate themselves. If you kill off a population that isn't harming your crops, you risk killing a predator to something that is harmful.

 

 

Keep a eye on them. If damage starts occurring check for aphids, then other pests.
Ants have been known to "farm" aphids for a sweet substance they produce.

Anyways biology class aside they shouldn't cause any problems.

 

From the looks of it the ants are tending their cows(aphids),....get rid of the aphids and the ants will leave.

 

LOL,...JZ had the answer a few seconds ahead of me.

 

Use diluted Ivory liquid dish soap. It's non-toxic to plants and humans.

 

Haha, damn that was close.

 

Thanks for the info, i'll try the soap.

 

Ants bring aphids. Aphids kill the plant. The ants have to go.

 

The ants on my artichokes are eating the black fly.

 

My sister uses ladybirds or you might call them ladybugs to eat aphids.

 

Soapy water seemed to help a little, but isnt doing a whole lot. I'll just pick up some lady bugs for now.