Ants are fascinating creatures that live in huge, complex communities. Although they help control other insects and aid in pollination, they can also be a nuisance when they begin invading your garden. They can promote aphid activity and make plants more vulnerable to disease. In this blog post, we will share effective methods on how to get rid of ants in the garden.
Understanding Ant Colonies
Ants form colonies that consist of thousands under the leadership of one queen. Workers, soldiers, and drones are also part of colonies. When devising a strategy to get rid of ants, focus on eliminating the queen. If it survives despite your efforts, it can form new colonies. A professional ant control in the garden can help you effectively kill the queen while ensuring minimal harm to the surrounding environment.
Controlling Ants in the Garden
You can use natural or commercial methods to eliminate ants. Here are some ways how to get rid of ants in the garden.
- Natural Methods
- Boiling Water: This is one of the most straightforward methods. Pour boiling water directly into the nest entrances. The heat kills the ants and disrupts their colony.
- White Vinegar: Pouring white vinegar directly into the nest can also be effective. Its strong smell disrupts the ants’ scent trails, and its acidity can kill them on contact.
- Dishwashing Liquid and Oil: Create a mixture of dishwashing liquid and oil. The soap and oil combination sticks to the ants’ exoskeletons and suffocates them. Spray this mixture around areas where you notice ant activity and directly into the nest.
- Diatomaceous Earth: Sprinkle diatomaceous earth (food-grade) around your garden and near the ant nest. This natural powder cuts through the ants’ exoskeletons, causing them to dehydrate and die.
- Boric Acid and Sugar Paste: Mix boric acid with sugar to create a paste. Ants are attracted to sugar. So, they will carry the boric acid back to their colony, where the queen can ingest this lethal substance.
- Commercial Methods
For severe infestations, you may need to use commercial ant killers. These include ant killer gels and poisons.
- Ant killer gels are designed to attract ants with a tempting food source laced with a slow-acting poison. The ants carry the bait back to the nest, where it is distributed to the colony, ultimately leading to the queen’s demise.
- Poison-based ant killers target the ants directly and can be used to create a barrier that prevents them from entering your space. When using these products, follow instructions carefully and consider their environmental impact.
If you’re struggling with an ant infestation in your garden and DIY methods aren’t enough, feel free to reach out to Arrow Services, Inc. We are the trusted pest control services in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio. We’ll ensure your garden is ant-free. Contact us today!