Is your yard crawling with ants? Are you fed up of seeing these tiny invaders every time you step outside? It can be unpleasant to be surrounded by bugs every time you go outside – and it’s even worse if they get into your house. However, some kinds of ants may actually be beneficial for your outdoor space. Find out why, and discover some natural ways to deal with ants, in this article.
Pros and Cons of Ants
Most people are aware of some of the negative effects of having ants in their yard. Carpenter ants excavate wood to create their nests, which can cause structural damage. Some other species, including fire ants, have bites or stings that cause pain.
Many of us have also seen ant mounds, which look unsightly on an otherwise tidy lawn. Ants’ underground tunnels can sometimes dry out the soil too much, which can be bad for the grass above.
However, there are actually some advantages to having certain types of ant in your yard. Many species of ant eat other pests, such as ticks, termites, fleas and grubs. In many cases, underground ant nests aerate and loosen the soil in a way that gives plants’ roots better access to water and nutrients.
Ants can even fertilize your soil, as they tend to leave food scraps in their nests. These tiny particles of plant and animal matter decompose and add nutrients to the soil. Finally, ants benefit the ecosystem by spreading seeds, allowing native plants to grow naturally.
So, before you take measures to get rid of ants, you might want to consider identifying which ant species you have in your yard. If they are not bothering you, you can simply try some natural methods for keeping them away from your house, porch or patio.
If, however, the ants are a problem, you’ll want to try one of the following effective methods for getting rid of them.
Natural Ways to Exterminate Ants
Boiling Water
One simple method for killing ants is to pour boiling water into the nest. It’s key to make sure the water is boiling, as cooler water may not kill the ants. Boil a kettle or pot of water, bring it to the ant mound, and scrape off any loose soil. Then carefully pour the water down into the hole. Try to get as much water as you can to flow into the hole, rather than soaking the ground around it.
The boiling water method is a good way to get rid of an entire colony of ants in one fell swoop. However, if the water cools off too much before it reaches the queen, it may not be effective. It’s important to take care with boiling water at it can cause nasty burns if it comes into contact with your skin. Boiling water can also harm the grass or create a soggy spot on the lawn.
Soapy Water