Getting rid of ants in block paving

I’ve swept up the ant powder this afternoon, not wanting to do any further damage as the ants are nowhere near the house. That sounds like a pleasant remedy @Obelix-Vendée, thank you, I’ll bear that in mind if necessary.

 

I have an old house built of stone in SW France. Ants climb up the walls and get into the roof space above the bathroom and spare bedroom then drop down, often dead, through tiny gaps in the ceilings. It was bad when I moved in so I sprayed the outside walls where they climb up with ant killer. Now, 3 years later, there are far fewer but the house is still not completely ant free. I wouldn't worry so much if it was only a path unless they damaged the path. I don't like the idea of boiling water though.

 

Having 'enjoyed' co-habitation with 12mm Southern wood ants* within a previous garden (nested in a dead willow trunk just within the neighbours garden) the relatively tiny black ants here are not a problem ,apart from the occasional intrusion over the back threshold.
* they 'march' along a distinct path and once diverted, stick with it henceforth. A visible black line to be seen moving from 20 paces or so. If cornered, they fight back, squirting formic acid. Leave well alone!

 

They sound feisty, @infradig! UK insects do tend to be fairly docile compared to their worldwide relatives.

 

I've always found Nippon powder or gel/liquid to be very effective. It may take a couple of applications. I'm happy to live with them in the garden but I want to be able to use the patio in peace. They may be little but they still hurt when they bite, plus my wife reacts badly to any form of beastie bite.

 

I don't mind if they are in the garden area and find their place in a raised bed (which they have currently), but I had them this year under the greenhouse slaps and I could feel it. So I watered the greenhouse with cold water.
The problem with ants is that they build tunnels and make soil crumbling. If I had to spend thousands for a new driveway, I wouldn't be amused.
Just last weekend, I read about super ants infection in Germany. A town called Kehl is hit by Tapinoma magnum and they have destroyed quite a lot of houses, walls, even cut the power off and internet connection. It turned out that they went through the cable system in the ground.

 

If you live in London, maybe look at the problem from the other way round…

Londoners should be charged for paving gardens, says climate resilience report

 

I wonder who gave this guy some advice.

(2) Killing ants - YouTube

 

Just read a short part of that link @shiney ,regarding sub base material.

It strikes me that if it has air gaps between the stones eventually over time it will settle if you're parking 2 ton cars on it.
Doesn't sound like a good idea to me although I understand the reasoning behind it.

 

I've seen that before
His reaction

 

I wonder if it worked . I won’t be doing that, the gas mains is under my driveway .

 

We ended up putting that down to stop the moles coming through our lawn. They now come up around the lawn and the ants come up through the little holes in the netting.

 

You can't win, eh?