Rewilding My Lot

This ant pile is underneath a Texas Barometer Bush (Leucophyllum frutescens) in my front flower bed.

It’s not in my way and the plant seems happy, so I’m leaving the ant bed in place. I’d rather support what nature is doing than make the garden “picture perfect.”

The ground here is badly compacted from the construction activities. Ants loosen and aerate the soil.

Ants help to break down plant matter, which feeds the soil and the plants that grow there.

Some critters (e.g., birds, other insects) eat ants.

So the ant bed stays, even though it doesn’t meet suburban expectations.

However, I am not always passive with ants. This particular colony IS in my way, so they have received a kettle-full of boiling water. I’ll repeat that daily until they move elsewhere (outside).