Ant nest at base of tree - problem?

[Grenfell]

My newly planted sugar maple sapling now has an ant nest at the base of the tree. The nest is right against the trunk where it meets the soil. They're not carpenter ants, they're much smaller.

Is this a problem or are they harmless? Thx!

I can post a photo is it helps.

 

[Ekka]

Personally I think ants nests near tree bases are a bad thing.

Ants dislike moisture so it means it's usually dry.

Ants make tunnels and stuff and the soil becomes "crystalized"

They can harvest sap suckers on the tree.

Try watering around the base more and they might get the message to nick off elsewhere. I sprinkle this ant powder stuff around, it's granular, then they nick off for a long time.

 

[Grenfell]

Thanks Ekka. Actually, it's been a very moist spring/summer? Either way I'll try watering a bit more and I'm looking into some ant bait/powder. I want to make sure it's something that is safe to use around the tree.