Ant-Infested Grass
Outdoor natural environments are laden with insects and small animals that range from ecologically beneficial to problematic pests. Ants are no exception. Under normal conditions they are beneficial to the landscape and environment around your home. But ants can create cosmetic problems by building unsightly mounds across your lawn and, under extreme conditions, can threaten the overall health of your lawn grass. Does this Spark an idea?
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Ants and Lawns
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Ants typically loosen the soil underneath your grass when they build mounds, damaging the overall structure of your lawn grass. Ants also feed on the honeydew secreted by aphids and other small insects as they travel, so a huge ant population can be an indication of the presence of aphids, mealybugs, soft scales or other insects that can cause much more serious harm to your lawn grass. Under normal conditions, ants can be beneficial because they prey on other insects and help decay organic matter.
Natural Control Methods
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If you do need to control an ant infestation in your lawn, there are several simple means for doing so. Rake mounds with a garden rake and ants will typically abandon the mound shortly thereafter (keep in mind that doing so can agitate the ants to point that they may attack you). If a mound is so large, however, that it is sapping moisture and nutrients from your lawn grass and so big that you do not wish to remove or destroy it manually, a chemical control method may be warranted.
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Chemical Control Methods
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Any insecticide labeled for outdoor use and for ant control will work, but apply it exactly according to the manufacturer's instructions. The key is to find the mound itself, not just to kill ants you see moving across lawn grasses. Granule insecticides are very effective at eliminating mounds, because ants will carry poison into the mound and ants will feed on it, resulting in the quick destruction of the entire mound. Spray insecticides and so-called "barrier insecticides" are good alternatives.
Other Considerations
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The use of chemical insecticides always carries with it certain risks you should understand before applying the chemicals, and some are only intended for professional application. Exterminators are licensed to carry and apply chemicals that by law cannot be purchased by individuals. Exterminators are also familiar with the health and environmental risks of the chemicals they use, and therefore can provide invaluable safety advice for you and your family.
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References
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