Ants can be a problem both indoor and outdoor when their colonies start to expand and grow. We are going to discuss how to get rid of ant colonies in the yard today, and indoor later. One big problem about ant colonies in the yard is that their mounds or nests are visible. The good thing is that there are several easy and effective ways that you can use to eliminate them. Before anything, I want to let you know that there is no human way to remove millions of ants. You are going to get rid of ant colonies in a brutal way, but it is for the best for everyone. I am going to recommend 7 methods to remove these unwanted guests from your yard, so take a look.
Contents
1. Carbonated Water
Carbonated water (club soda) is a very easy treatment to solve ant problems in the yard. The carbon dioxide in the water is heavier than air, and it displaces oxygen. When this happens, it suffocates and kills the ants along with their queen in the whole colony. This method will show effectiveness within 2 days, and it does not contaminate the groundwater or leave poisonous residue at all. What you need to do is pour 2 cups/cans of carbonated water directly into the center of the ant mound. That is it, just leave it there and come back in the next two days. There will not be any more signs of active ants, and you can destroy the mount for good.
2. Chemical Ant Killer
This is the easy and fast way, and there is a wide variety of chemical ant killers that you can find. The most common ant killers can be in the form of granules, liquid, or powder, and the choice is all yours. Once you have them, open the top of the ant mound and follow the instructions to apply them. Some work like bait for the ants to carry back to their nests while others work immediately. The former works better because it has a higher possibility of getting the queen. As for the latter, a smaller nest may develop nearby due to the survival of the queen. You will have to monitor the area and see there is a second nest for further activity if necessary.
3. D-Fense Dust
Effective and simple, D-Fense dust is a ready-to-use insecticide that can eliminate and control pests long-term. Use it once, and its effectiveness can last up to 8 months which is a very convenient method to try. I find it among the best strategies to get rid of ant colonies and other pests because it is safe. It is harmless to humans and pets, but it works wonderfully on unwanted pests both inside and outside the house. Moreover, D-Fense dust does not absorb moisture or clump, and it does not have any odor or stain at all. All you need to do is sprinkle it over the top of the ant mound in your yard. Then just leave it to do its job, simple as that. It is approved to use all over the state, and you can easily find it online.
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4. Diatomaceous Earth
White powder can kill ants from the insides upon ingestion. Besides ants, this powder can also kill other garden and household pests like bedbugs, cockroaches, fleas, ticks, and more. Diatomaceous earth contains skeletons of small sea creatures that act like small shards of glass. So when those pests eat them, they will eventually die within 48 hours. All you need to do is sprinkling the powder over the mounds or nests for the ants to collect. Diatomaceous earth is non-toxic to humans and pets, but it can effectively kill insects by destroying their exoskeletons. In some other cases, the substance will kill the pests when they walk across the powder. It sticks to their feet and legs then gets into their joints and exoskeleton. It is cheap and effective, and it is ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. You can find some of them online as follow.
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5. Hot Water
Many people use this method because it is effective and fast, and can kill almost the entire population of the colony. Check the size of the mound, rake it open, and pour boiling water to pour into their nests. You can add liquid soap to increase killing power so that it can do its job even better. Remember that boiling water can kill surrounding plants and vegetation, so make sure to be careful when using this method.
6. Insecticide
As for this method, it works wonders when there are ants along the sidewalks or some certain areas in the yard. You can spot-treat those areas by spraying insecticides to get rid of ant colonies. The thing is that most insecticides contain chemical substances that linger for a period of time around the area after the treatment. This is another benefit because other ants will avoid using the route to travel for quite some time. In case they come back, repeat the method and they will disappear after a few times. You can also use it for your lawn as well as shrubs and trees on your property. Make sure to mow the grass and spray the insecticides early in the morning or late afternoon. It is easy to spot them when the grass is short, and doing it when the ants are most active works even better.
7. Vinegar
Vinegar is of the best home remedies to treat a number of problems around the house. All you need to do is mix vinegar and water with the same amount along with a few drops of liquid soap. Then rake open the nest and pour the mixture in as much as possible. Just like boiling water, this solution can kill vegetation so make sure you are aware of this.
Bonus: Flatten The Hills
You don’t need to use any chemical substances or insecticides, all you need is a garden rake. Begin by raking the structure of the mound over then flatten the ground out. Make sure that you destroy the main entrance and block it completely to prevent entrance and exit. You can sprinkle some pesticides over the area after the process for more effectiveness. This simply sends the message that they are not welcomed and the area is dangerous for their nests. In case they rebuild the mound, use one among the methods above.