It is unlikely that the ants will harm your Aechmea or are a sign of any other pests. That said, I would suggest you can avoid pest and other problems by keeping your Aechmea inside on a moderately sunny windowsill. This plant does not require a great deal of sunlight, so it is commonly used as an indoor plant. Their flowers typically last for about 3 months before they gradually start to brown and die back.
