What is the primary indication that an ant nest is present?

Soil loosening and small mounds are primary indicators of an ant nest because ants are known to excavate soil as they create their nests underground. The activity of the ants can lead to the formation of small mounds of soil on the surface, which is a common sign of their presence. This excavation helps the ants create chambers for their colony and can also affect the surrounding turf by loosening the soil structure. In addition to mounds, you may also notice disturbances in the grass that can be attributed to the ants digging beneath the surface.

While visible adult ants are a sign of an ant presence, they alone do not definitively indicate a nest. A lack of significant turf damage may also suggest that the ants are not causing harm, which indicates their activity might be localized. Large swarms of ants might suggest a temporary reproductive phase rather than the presence of a nest. In contrast, soil loosening and small mounds provide concrete evidence of a nesting site.