A review of more than 70 scientific studies proves that ants can control pests on many crops, from cocoa, citrus, palm oil, cedar etc. Most of the studies are on weaver ants (Oecophylla), a tropical species which lives in trees and weaves ball-shaped nests from leaves. They live near the flowers and fruits which are good pest controllers. They don’t need much, only a sugar solution while they build their new nests and some water in dry season.

One three-year study in Australia shows that the crops such as cashew and mango can be exceptionally better protected from pests by weaver ants than by chemicals, which results in higher yields and better quality.

	Yield	Quality	Net Income
Cashew	49% higher	better nut	71% higher
Mango	same	better fruit	73% higher

Sometimes, better solutions simply exist in our nature! 😉

Source: Becky Allen, British Ecological Society & Christina Troelsen, Aarhus University