How to Kill Red Ants in My Backyard
Known for aggressive and unfriendly behavior, red ants, commonly referred to in the United States as fire ants, can present a very real problem if they nest in your yard. With painful stings and a mob mentality, red ants make their presence known in the worst way by taking over areas that once were yours. Without having to call in a professional or buying expensive harmful chemicals, you can take back areas, such as your backyard, that have been infested by red ants. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Boil a large pot of water and pour the scalding water into the ant hill. It may require three or four applications, but eventually they will get a clue and move on.
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Drop hot ashes from the barbecue onto the hill. This will kill off many ants quickly.
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Shovel scoops of ants and soil out of the ant hill and drop them into a bucket, filling it only halfway. Pour dish soap onto the soil liberally before filling the bucket with water and leaving it to sit for 5 to 10 minutes before dumping it out and repeating. This will kill off a great number of the population.
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Scoop up a shovelful of fire ants from one ant hill and drop them into another. They will fight to the death.
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Dig a hole into the center of the anthill and drop a piece of dry ice into it. Force the ice deep into the hole with a stick or use the shovel to cover it back up. The freezing temperature will be too much for any ants that survive it, and they will be forced to evacuate.
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Tips & Warnings
Ants aren't fond of the smell of lavender, tansy and curry; so planting them around your yard may help to repel them.
Wear gloves when handling dry ice.
If you decide to go with a commercial product to help you eliminate the ants, be sure to read and follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully, as many of these aren't safe to use around children or animals.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/BananaStock/Getty Images
