Are Ants Gross?

A column of ants are next to my desk, interested in some invisible residue at the bottom of my empty trash can. They are black and tiny, so I presume they will not bite me as they clean up my mess. Am I wrong to not be disgusted or frightened by their presence? There is something pleasing to knowing that in the walls of my building there is a hive of insects that only appear to clean up my messes.

It’s clear the previous residents had problems with ants, too, if the many plastic traps are any indication. And while I don’t particularly want to encourage them—time to wash out the trash can, obviously—it’s not like we’re going to be able to completely rid ourselves of them without tearing down the building, or at least sealing all the cracks (if their nest is outside). Is there something harmful about having ants in a home?

Humans live in a swirling ecosystem of micro-organisms, insects, and vermin. I can’t help but thinking it’s cool that ants might keep my house cleaner, or even preventing less desirable nasties to gain a foothold. (Maybe I should release ladybugs inside this summer!)