Researchers believe there are over twelve-thousand ant species today. However, it is only a handful of these creepers that pose a threat to your privacy, with the eight biggest culprits being:
- Acrobat ants
- Argentine ants
- Asian needle ants
- Carpenter ants
- Crazy ants
- Dark rover ants
- European fire ants
- Field ants
These creepers live in colonies, some large enough to accommodate over three million insects. They wreak havoc in their large numbers and cause a lot of property damage.
But Why Are There So Many Ants In My Yard?
Ants don’t just tumble into your space. They get attracted to sugar and grease. These substances are a perfect source of food to the ants, and a yard covered in residue becomes a hot-bed for colonization.
Second, ants trek long distances in search of water. A yard full of water puddles, therefore, attracts an army of ants. These numbers, however, grow during the dry seasons. Last, ants’ nest in the lawn when they find an undisturbed, dry spot with well-drained soils.
The Cons of Having Ants in Your Garden
Ants might enrich soils by improving the aeration patterns, but that does not mean you should tolerate them. Remember, increased insect activity breaks up the solid soil particles making them weak. The result is a loss in plant root grip.
Plants then dry off and fall to the ground. Having an ant colony on-site, therefore, hurts the landscape. Financial losses amounting to thousands of dollars are also inevitable, meaning you must eliminate these pests when you can.
The Ant Elimination Process
Most people use pesticides to kill bugs. That, however, does not mean you should follow their lead, and here is why. The pesticides contaminate your garden. Besides, they destroy useful insects and animals that keep pest colonies at bay.
But there is a better option. Biological methods annihilate or deter colonies without contaminating ecosystems, and below are the steps to follow.
1. Chalk the Yard
Ants operate in territories. You must, therefore, demarcate the edge of the laws with chalk powder to keep the creepers away. You can also use eco-friendly products like cinnamon powder, curry powder, baby powder, or cayenne pepper to achieve the same results. Reapplication is also necessary after rains.
2. Boil the Castle to the Ground
Killing insects is sometimes unavoidable. Pouring a lot of hot boiling water into the mound, anyhow, eliminates all occupants including the queen mother. Several applications are, however, vital to your success.
3. Use the Diatomaceous Earth Recipe
Do you have a few bucks to spare? You can buy some diatomaceous earth from the local hardware store and sprinkle it in your lawn. The alga cuts through the ant’s exoskeleton, killing it fast. It is way perfect for biological warfare because the insects never see it coming.
4. Apply the Devil’s Concoction
Let’s be real. Ants are a menace. They make lawns unattractive by destroying ornamental plants. But there is always a cure for everything. The Devil’s concoction prepared by mixing peppermint with eight ounces of water plus a tablespoon of coconut oil repels the bugs around the clock. Reapplication is, however, vital to shield the lawn from future attacks.
5. Grit the Plants
Ants are as dumb as they look. They eat anything, and everything provided it has a sweet taste to it. But grits are ticking time bombs. They expand when ingested making the ant implode.
6. Use the Cucumber Repellant
Cucumbers are sweet. They spice up meals, but that is not all they can do. Cucumber peelings contain trans-2-nenenal, a compound that repels the creepers naturally. All you must do is cover the ant hills with the peels and take a back seat.
7. Landscape the Lawn With Plant Repellants
Did you know that landscaping the lawn with peppermint, spearmint, sage, pennyroyal, or plant catnip can advance your cause? Yes, these plants deter ants from accessing your garden thanks to their strong scents. They are inexpensive too.
Conclusion
It is undebatable that a home filled with ants is no home at all. The insects not only cause the creeps but also contaminate food and water sources. Besides, they hold you hostage in your house, meaning you cannot “lounge” on the grass in your lawn.
The result is a series of psychological and financial headaches you never thought you would incur. But there is a cure. You can obliterate these bugs from your premise using readily available natural remedies. These solutions work like clockwork and do not contaminate ecosystems as pesticides do.
Beyond everything, they are inexpensive. There is, therefore, no need for you to spend thousands of dollars on expensive repellants that put your life in jeopardy. In a nutshell, green is the way to go!
I have been stung twice in a month by Asian Needle Ants. Found out where they are this morning, moving along the gate to our barnyard. Do not know where their nest is.
Had a severe reaction and must do something to eliminate them, at least from the path across the gate.
We are an organic farm and appreciate your suggestions. Would you recommend one more than the other to move these creatures along?
Something has to be done ASAP (I like the DE idea).
Thanks.