how to get rid of lots of ants nests in my lawn

jemw

Just noticed lots of ants nests in my lawn and larvae/eggs at the surface

What is the cheapest and most effective way of getting rid of them? I have just boiled the kettle and poured on the nests, hoping this will burn the little buggars!!

Lord_Gardener

jemw wrote: »

Just noticed lots of ants nests in my lawn and larvae/eggs at the surface

What is the cheapest and most effective way of getting rid of them? I have just boiled the kettle and poured on the nests, hoping this will burn the little buggars!!

You'll never succeed! There are just zillions and zillions of them! They cause little damage to plants. Just rake/brush any mounds made by them on the lawn so not to leave a muddy mess - try to do this on a dry day. They don't like being disturbed and will also encourage birds to have a go for ant cocoons/larvae (you'll have trouble seeing their eggs!). You only really need to deal with them if they are causing a problem inside your home - I find a borax based solution is most effective to kill the nest in the home situation but it takes time!!. NB You only see the tip of the nest on the lawn, they are usually pretty big and almost impossible to destroy.

Seakay

You could try mixing borax with a little sugar and scattering it near and around the ants' nests. The sugar is just to make the borax more appealing to them.
Also found this previous thread on the subject:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=207306

Suzy_M

Unless the ants are causing a real problem for you please don't waste your time and energy trying to get rid of them. Learn to live with them if you can - they are all part of your own mini-ecosystem.

Alias_Omega

Can you not dig it all out, and leave it out for a whilst. I did this with a damp area of the garden where some frogs were living. I dug it all out, and disposed of the soil through the wheelie bin over the weeks, put some stones down to keep a base, then as the soil dried out, put some more soil on top, then some turf. Turf is cheap and hey presto..

steveo3002

been getting lots of ant hills all over our lawn

they pop up within a few hrs and make a mess when the mower goes over them

is there a way to rid the lawn of ants , or just something to live with?

System

just rake them over and they will produce a lovely lunch for the birds.

Grumpysally

What do ant hills look like? I've been cursing moles for some mounds that have appeared on a small area of lawn, but been confused as to why they have not appeared anywhere else or on any one else's lawn

steveo3002

small mound of very fine soft dirt

usualy see a few small holes in it and the odd ant nearby

Vibrant

It's the wet weather making the ants build mounds, they are trying not to drown!
Not much you can do about it, except try to protect the grass.
If the ground is wet, use the hose to wash away the surplus soil.
If the ground is dry, gently brush away the soil. I always sprinkle a little ant powder after brushing, then lightly brush again, so it isn't too noticable.

Vib.

squiggle37

my neighbour got loads of ants nest on her lovely green lawn, the greenfinger man she has suggest she used nippon....dont think thats worked as it still look hilly, i dont get ants nests on my boggy weed infested grass.

Will suggest some of these ideas to her.

thanks