How to get rid of annoying ants in the garden: radical ways

Ants are generally very beneficial insects for the ecosystem, helping to maintain soil fertility and destroying pests. But in a summer cottage, they can start to spoil crops or annoy you while you're relaxing.

Fortunately, there are many ways to keep ants away from your house and garden. OBOZ.UA tells about the most effective and radical ways to solve the problem.

Pour boiling water over the anthills

One of the easiest and most budget-friendly ways to eliminate an ant hill involves only the use of hot water. Simply boil a kettle and pour its contents into the ant nest. One will take about 7-10 liters of boiling water. Pour it precisely enough to make sure that the anthill is completely washed away. This method can be repeated several times or used for several days to make sure the ants are completely gone. It can also be combined with any of the following methods. The only caveat is that using boiling water on the lawn along with the ants will also kill the grass.

Use white vinegar

White vinegar, which can clean everything in the house, also makes it easy to get rid of pests. Simply mix equal parts white vinegar and water, and then use a watering can to carefully pour the solution into the ant hill. The mixture should also be sufficient for a complete rinse, which is approximately 7-10 liters. The smell of vinegar, which will remain in the ground, will also protect against the return of ants for a while because they cannot stand it. For greater effectiveness, this method should also be combined with others.

Spray an insecticide over the anthill

Although using natural solutions works well if you have a child or pet running around in your yard, their use is often time-consuming. Therefore, spot treatment of anthills with insecticides can be an effective and permanent solution. Choose a liquid or granular product and follow the instructions on the package. An important nuance is that insecticide products can be used on lawns, gardens, and vegetable gardens. These products are not suitable for pastures.

Sprinkle the anthill with diatomaceous earth

Diatomaceous earth is a rock that consists mainly of diatom shells. It is a completely natural mineral-based substance. It may appear soft and chalky to the naked eye, but under a microscope, it can be seen to have sharp edges. It is this feature that will help to repel ants from your site. Even if the scratches caused by diatomite do not stop them, the rock will still penetrate the outer shell of the insect and cause dehydration and death. Diatomaceous earth is non-toxic to pets and humans. But still, choose one that is labeled non-toxic. To eliminate ants, you will have to carry out several treatments or combine the method with some other method.

Make an insecticide from borax and sugar

One of the most difficult parts of destroying an ant colony is getting to the farthest depths of the underground colony. A mixture of borax and sugar can do the trick. Borax disrupts the ants' metabolism and causes them to die, but sugar is needed to make them eat the poison. Take both substances in equal proportions, mix well, and sprinkle them near the ant hill. The insects will start eating the mixture and carry it into the anthill, which will cause the death of individuals underground. This insecticide will take some time to work.

Use ready-made ant baits

These devices work on the same principle as borax and sugar, you just don't have to prepare and spread the mixture. Place the ready-made bait near the ant hill and the insects will start to gather around it and eat the poison. The ingredients of this bait are designed to slowly kill ants by affecting their digestive system, giving them enough time to carry the poison into all layers of the colony. The protective shell of the device makes the contents resistant to rain, wind, and other external conditions.

Scatter citrus peels around the ant hill

Have just finished the orange? Throw the peel next to the ant hill to get rid of the pests. This trick works with any citrus fruit. The aromatic oils and the substance D-limonene from their peel repel ants in two ways. Firstly, D-limonene has a strong odor that masks traces of ants' pheromones, which disrupts their orientation and space. The substance also has insecticidal properties. When ants come into contact with D-limonene, it can affect their nervous system and respiratory functions, leading to the death of the insect. For a deeper treatment, you can mix a bottle of citrus essential oil with 3-4 liters of water and pour this liquid directly into the entrance of the ant hill.

Try the trick with a garbage bag to heat the ant hill

Ants do not tolerate high temperatures. In the heat of the day, you can overheat their home with a black garbage bag. Simply cover the ant hill with such a bag and press the edges with something heavy. The purpose of this trick is not to prevent ants from escaping but to turn the anthill into an uninhabitable sauna.

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