Ants

Hi everyone

We've had massive ant problems in our garden for the last few years now, many ant hills have popped up and it was after doing the first mow of the year over the weekend that I realised just how unsightly this has really become.

We have massive patches in our lawn now where there is just no grass at all, we've tried so many things, many different ant killers and hot water aswell but still they keep coming back.

We want our lawn back once and for all (they even come up in the beds aswell!) - does anyone have any sure-fire tips for getting rid of them once and for all? (And keeping them away!) It would be so much appreciated!

Thanks

Selina

 

Welcome to GC Selina first of all
Unfortunately I can't be of help but saw that word and freaked out myself as I hate them. I am looking for something I can put down that is cat friendly though as don't want powders to get on their paws. I too have tried roasting the treetreetreetreetreetreetree with hot water but they come back.

Happy Days
GCQ

 

One of these would help

Giant anteater Poster - Customize for Free!

Seriously though, i've had a huge red ant hill in the veg patch, they bring up the subsoil clay which i'm trying to bury. Dug it back in last year, they are still there but have not made another hill, probably as I keep cultivating the bed.

At the other end of the house there is a nest of BIG black ants who spend the entire summer going to & from the fir trees at the opposite end, a big black line. They tried a sortie into the loo but were quickly cocooned by the spiders & then gave up.

 

Gee thanks Ziggy lol Anyone ever mentioned you look slightly like Nick Knowles from DIY SOS?

 

Thankyou for the welcome GCQ and also must say that's a very good point, even though my cat is getting old and wandering less now, I wouldn't like something that could make him or any of our other animal visitors ill - making things even more difficult now aren't I haha!

Awww Ziggy I would SO love an anteater, they're so cute and would solve all our problems so easily wouldn't it lol! Your problem sounds pretty brutal too, I think I'm the same as you, keep disturbing them in the hope they move on, but they're pretty darn determined creatures aren't they! I don't think I've seen any black ants though thankfully, I'm hoping a good remedy pops up for us both soon!

And GCQ - yes Ziggy does look a bit like Nick Knowles doesn't he!

 

Hi Selina, I don't know if I had a fluky result or not, but I remember years ago covering an effected area with that white powder "nippon" stuff...and nothing happened. A couple of months later I decided on a new tactic. I again covered the area with the same powder but this time around I watered it in. I can honestly say I never saw another ant after doing that.

Like I said though, a possible fluke, but worth a shot.

 

Well thats made my day :D

 

Then my work here is done and we are lucky to have our own NK lookalike here on GC bet you wished you got paid the same as him though eh Ziggy?

Happy Days
GCQ

 

He gets paid as well ?:D

 

Help! We have found several ants in our lounge near the patio doors.

We have emptied the fruit bowl and removed some boiled sweets.
Other than that can't see what they are after.


How can we stop them before we get more of the little perishers in?

:gaagh:

 

Thank you Shiney - forgot about Ant Powder across the doors.
Will get some next time I go shopping

:thumb:

 

I find siting bonfires on top of ant hills gets rid of the ants and helps condition the heap of clay. Had to resort to ant powder when they decide to invade one of my cold frames though.