Zingg et al.
The negative effect of wood ant presence on tick abundance.
Parasit. Vectors 2018; 11:164
Red wood ants can reach high densities and their impact extends over several trophic levels and ecosystem processes. Ants can have a direct effect on tick abundance via predation and the repellent effect of formic acid. The authors have studied the effect of the presence of red wood Formica polyctena ants on the abundance of Ixodes ticks in northern Switzerland. The results show that the number of questing ticks was lower in the presence of ant nests, and the nest volume had a strong negative impact on tick abundance. A reduction in the density of questing ticks can reduce the risk for tick-borne diseases.