In addition to the possibility that the ants might eat the sugary part that oozes out of the fig, or even venture inside and try to eat the fig, ants sometimes "farm" scale insects or aphids. These insects excrete "honeydew" that the ants like to eat. And the ants protect these insects from other predators. These scale insects and aphids can sap the strength and energy from your plants. So while the ants likely won't damage your tree directly, they're not something you want living in your pots.

I haven't tried this myself yet, but hope to experiment with this in our greenhouse and hoop-house this year. But I agree that transplanting a potted plant would be the best way to go. But it would be interesting to know if this really works. Just a thought... "The safest method for getting rid of ants without using a pesticide is cornmeal or grits. Ants will take the cornmeal or grits back to the nest and feed on it. Ants, however, cannot completely digest cornmeal or grits and eventually die from starvation due to buildup of the fiber in their digestive systems. To use this treatment effectively track the ants back to their nest and pour some small heaps of cornmeal or grits in the areas where you see ants frequently traveling. You should notice a marked decease in the ant population in a week or so." Another method is orange oil. It isn't suppose to hurt the plant any but will kill ants. You might do a quick search on that too. Good luck!

annie, , you don't mention how many pots you have, something I do,although it is a bit time consuming, I get a very large 'rubbish bin' fill it with water and put in some 'lawn n beetle killer',[chlorpirifos active ingredient] or 'condy's crystalls'.I then add some liquid 'soil wetter' and place the pot into the 'bin' and soak for apx 10-15 mins, this then 'kills' the ants[drowns them], and 'rewets' the pot.I have found ants only invade the pots which are to dry, as ants hate wet soil.I hope this helps you. I have tried this on my azaleas and camellieas and I have apx 150 pots, it did work for me here in perth.w.a.

By good quality I meant standard quality... I didn't just put some random dirt from my yard or use all dense, compacted garden soil. I used Miracle gro, added some extra peat moss and perlite and that was it. They were not already budded. They have budded and started since they have been home with me since early March. I checked the local garden center and saw how deep green the same variety should be and mine definitely do not look the same. I have not treated with anything other than adding some epsoma, which I had planned on doing anyway at some point since I would like them to lean more blue. I am only getting concerned because it is getting worse and now the others are starting to show the same. Definitely not too cold. I am in Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex. Everything is already mostly in bloom or budding here. I am hoping it just may be over watering. So, I will lay off the water for the time being. However, it is going to get rather hot here very quickly. We are already hitting temps in the upper 80's and occasional 90. So 100 degree temps are not far off. Thanks :)