One trick to controlling ants on your patio is to draw a chalk line around the perimeter as ants will not cross a line of chalk. Playground chalk sticks work well for this. If you have ants in your house or an ant nest perhaps you should contact an exterminator. There are also ant control products at home center stores. Ants on your plants do not do much damage as they are after the nectar on peonies or to farm the aphid on roses. Wash off or pinch the aphid to discourage the ants. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti