I hope someone can help me. This winter I moved into an apartment with an outside deck. I'm on the second floor and couldn't wait to start a container garden since my last place was basement level and in a bad part of town I couldn't have one. I recently planted (in one pot) a single tulip, two mini-
roses white and pink, and some catnip. I know I will eventually need separate pots or one long pot but while checking the
plants today and watering them I found black ants absolutely everywhere even on my geraniums in another pot. My husband helped me check and we didn't find any aphids. I'm worried the ants will come in through my patio door. Are the ants beneficial, harmful, neutral or what? I've never had this problem gardening in the past. I am unsure of what to do, if the ants won't come inside I'd like to just leave them be. If I should use something to deter them I need something that is not harmful to animals since I have a cat that enjoys the deck and the catnip as well. Please help!