Ants coming up into our gardens can be inconvenient and annoying. They are attracted to sugars and grease which may occur in our garbage, bird feeder areas and pet foods. As they come near, the presence of ants can render a real pain. Thus, it is important to know how to manage them.
Pruning and Removing Debris
In order to reduce the food sources that attract ants, non-organic debris (including kitchen scraps, twigs and paper) should be removed from the garden. Pruning branches also helps get rid of potential shelter and pathways that ants may use as an access route to the garden. With these few tasks completed, ants will find it more difficult to occupy the space and so deterring or reducing their presence.
Natural Ant Control
Investing in natural control measures can reduce the ant population without the use of harsh chemicals. Organic repellent methods include sprinkling diatomaceous earth, boric acid, chili pepper, and cayenne pepper powder around the heavily infested areas. It is advised to apply these materials every two days until the ants are gone as natural barriers degrade over time.
Chemical Ant Control
When natural ant control methods fail, more drastic measures may be necessary, but one must take the necessary precautions. Chemical repellent methods are available which are designed to deal with serious infestations. Spraying the garden with diluted insecticides can solve the problem quickly, but one must remember to keep plants away from the areas as far as possible. Applying liquid or granular bait treatments to the areas around ant hills is also an effective way of managing the ants in the garden.
Could Outcompete the Ants
Introducing ant-eating predators in the garden can reduce ant numbers. This approach may produce slow results since ants are prolific breeders, but it does provide an environmentally friendly way of managing ants. Building shelters to accommodate predators can have a beneficial effect on the ant populations.
Keep Entry Points Sealed
Regularly checking cracks in concrete, sealants around windows, and removing decaying wood can help keep ants away as they cannot enter through sealed and impenetrable spaces. This is especially useful in buildings where ants already inhabit as these methods can be used to reduce their presence.
Essential Hygienic Practices
Eliminating food sources attracting ants is essential. Hygienic practices in the garden, such as cleaning up spilled food and maintaining the gardens cleanliness, should be practiced to discourage ants. Removing discarded items can also help keep the ants away.
Sealing The House
Sealing the house should be the last resort. Sealing off access routes and window seals with caulk is effective in eliminating ant infestations. Applying insecticides or insect repellents to door sills and windowsills can also prevent entry as this will cause the ants to seek shelter elsewhere.
Limiting Access to Water
Cutting off access to standing water limits the moisture content in the soil which makes spaces uninhabitable for ants. Reducing water content by draining potted plants and removing overwatered regions not being used by certain plants can return a garden to habitable conditions for human inhabitants, and thus reduce the ant’s chance of survival.
Keeping Organic Matter Out
Organic matter full of sugars and greases attracts ants. Removing bits of food, kitchen scraps, and organic waste is necessary in order to prevent ants entering the garden. As organic matter is the main source of food for ants, removing this can reduce their presence significantly.
Using Barriers
Barriers can be an effective way of managing ants. Planting a line of ant-repelling plants around the garden can be a good deterrent. These plants, such as geraniums, alliums, rue, rosemary and bay laurel, secrete substances which act as a repellent for ants.
Controlling Presence in the Garden
An ant’s life cycle means that it can quickly build up large colonies which need managing and control. By understanding the ant’s environment and replacing the food sources with repellents, one can create a ‘hospitable’ condition using natural or chemical control measures. With these implemented, the chances of ants returning to the garden will be greatly decreased.
