Ants in your plants can make one restless but fire ants have a painful sting and will damage plants. If you find the nest you can shovel as much of it as you can into a bucket of very hot water but put baby powder on your shovel handle and boots to keep the ants from attacking you. You can repel the ants around the perimeter of your garden with diatrametreous earth which is made from bits of sharp seashells that can cut the ants. These are not as effective as using a product made to control fire ants and there are many on the store shelves, some even listed for use near food crops. I suggest you contact your local extension agent as they are the best local source of the latest information and products for controlling these stinging ants. Good Luck, Marianne Binetti