How To Get Rid Of Ant Mounds In Lawn

Whenever you ask any lawn owner to name some of the pests that give them the most trouble, don’t be surprised to see ants up there together with stink bugs and bedbugs.  Though not harmful, these troublesome little pests will invade and colonize your lawn in their thousands.

Continue reading to learn more on how to get rid of ant mounds in lawn?

Having ant mounds in your lawn can be a hideous mess – Not to forget suffocating your grass lawn, plus the problem these unwanted ants can create by snacking on your grass and flowers.

Getting rid of an ant mound can be as simple as raking it out using a rake or a shovel. However, this will not stop them; ants are tenacious creatures – They will simply move to a different spot and rebuild!

Generally speaking, ants play a critical role in our environment. They feed on bugs like termites, pollinate plants and aerate the soil system.

However, if unchecked these pesky insects will potentially take over parts of your lawn, and if you have children, it might be a good idea to learn how to get rid of ants in grass naturally!

Why Are There So Many Ant Hills In My Yard?

This is one question that many people will often ask! Like most insects on your lawn, Ants are there for three things only: shelter, water, and food.

If these three items are available and easily accessible, ants will most likely prefer to build their nest there, resulting in unpleasant ant mounds all over your lawn.

So how do you get rid of ants mounds in your lawn? There are several ways you can use to eliminate ant mounds. Let’s look at different methods of getting rid of ant mounds on your lawn.

How To Get Rid Of Ant Mounds In Lawn?

Small mounds on your lawn may not look like a major issue to you. But If left unchallenged, ants living within the mounds will flourish to a colony of over a million occupying the entire lawn beneath.

So How do you get rid of ants nests in your grass? Before morphing into a ninja and unleashing your wrath on these tiny creatures, its good to ask yourself the following questions:

• Are they in a secluded part of your lawn?
• Do they pose any danger to you and your family?

Note: it’s not morally right to kill just for the sake of killing. Now that the moralizing part is over, let’s get to work and turn you into one of the world’s best ant killer.

First, let’s look at natural methods of getting rid of ants.

How To Get Rid Of Ants In Grass Naturally

Using Boiling Water

Though a bit uncouth, this is by far the simplest and quickest way to get rid of ant mounds in your lawn – Jeez! That’s a painful and very inhuman way of killing! Handling hot water into the mounds has proven to be an effective way of destroying the bulk of the ant population.

One thing though, the water has to be bubbling hot as you pour it over the mounds entry point.

While mounds typically have webs of tunnels that run beneath them, water can find its way across the mounds chambers and destroy all ants it comes into contact with.

To increase the effectiveness of the hot water, you can add liquid soap. The mixture will aid in drowning the ants.

Using Boric Acid

A less intrusive technique is to paste a mixture of sugar and boric acid at the entry points of the mounds. This highly poisonous chemical will systematically kill all the ants that come into contact.

Ants are attracted to sugary things like sugar, so they will quickly be drawn to the toxic solution. They will even carry some for the queen back in the nest.

See also: Using boric acid to eliminate moles in yard

Vinegar On Ant Hills

Most folks recommend using white vinegar to get rid of ants mounds in your lawn.  Spraying roughly a liter of vinegar inside the ant hills can work wonders if not miracles. Ants are not able to survive the acidity; the acid in the vinegar kills the ants.

Vinegar is a secure way of getting rid of ants. However, it might kill your grass if used for a period of time. It’s advisable to use this method with caution.

Using Ant Bait Stations

Another practical long-term approach is to plant ant baits throughout your lawn, especially in areas where you are sure to find ants. Ant-baits keep the toxic chemical away from kids and pets while inviting ants to take a bite.

Moreover, ants that pass by the bait will carry the toxic chemical back to the mound killing the other ants, including the queen.

Preventive measures to keep grubs away from your lawn.

How To Get Rid Of Ants in Lawn Professionally

1. Ant killer gel

Ant killer gel Similar to borica acid and sugar. Ants are attracted to the sweet gel, which they later take back to the queen. The good thing is it does not pose any danger to your grass.

2. Ant killer poison

Mostly used to kill ants that are indoors because their toxicity can damage plants. If you decide to use this method, take as much caution as possible.

3. Professional extermination

If the above methods don’t work, it is wise to hire a professional to deal with the invasion.

See also: Home remedies to get rid of bees in backyard

How to Get Rid of Large Ant Hills in Lawn

Getting rid of large ant mounds from your lawn is quite possible; all you need is the right equipment to get it out.

Start by mowing down grass around the large ant mound, then create an ant bait around the mound and apply boric acid or any other insecticides. Don’t forget the entrance! Leave the trap for a few days or a week. This will give it time to reach the queen. Finally, flatten the mound using a rake or a shovel.

Fortunately, getting rid of ant mounds in your lawn is not that difficult. Compared to other insects such as bed bugs, there are several impactful ways and products you can use to get rid of ant mounds in your lawn.

Once you figure out which method works best for you, be sure it will serve you for a very long time.