Well, growing outside in South Florida I see lots of ants!
I don't usually care if they are on the plants. They are good for one thing: they will lead you to the scale, aphids and mealies. I do get rid of them if they are forming nests in the pots or if I see them carrying eggs.
I have stumbled upon large colonies in the roots when watering (especially submerging) before.
That is very disturbing and I usually just spray the heck out of the roots and pot with Raid right that minute
, then go back later and rinse it really well with fresh water. That has never hurt a plant for me.
For regular ant control in and around my house, I always use Terro. Since it is a bait, it will draw the ants to it at first. So I like to put it just outside the house (if I can find where they are coming from). That way I don't have to look at them when they descend on the bait. yeech!
Ants in my orchid in Florida (3)
When I lifted it up from the table to move it they started running all over the table. I promptly took the pot outside pulled the plant from the pot and hosed it off hosed off all the potting material and repotted it 
That chid was fine. Kept on blooming. I always repot anyway but just had to do it sooner.
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