They are everywhere except in polar regions.  Almost every day we come across one at least, whether at home, on the street and even at work, they are: ants. Always working and dividing the tasks, in Brazil there are more than two thousand species. The novelty is that they can be more effective than the pesticide-product used to fight pests. 

According to recent research, ants are better at killing pests, reduce plant damage and increase crop yields. The article published in proceedings of royal society b analyzed 17 crops, including citrus, mango, apple and soybeans in the United States, Brazil, Australia and the United Kingdom. 

The researchers wrote in the article that "With proper management, ants can be useful in pest control and increase crop yield over time. Some ant species have similar or superior efficacy to pesticides at lower costs." 

Although the role of ants in agriculture is not completely clear, as they can be a problem. Researchers say management practices such as providing an alternative source of sugars (can be done on the ground, near the trunk of a tree or on branches). Ants are distracted and can reduce the number of other pests such as caterpillars and beetles. 

Source: Agrolink