How to Get Rid of Ants in Your Yard

Ants may be small, but they can be a big nuisance, especially when they invade your yard and disrupt your outdoor activities. For homeowners in the Greater Tri-County Area and Northern Pittsburgh, it’s important to take action quickly to prevent ants from turning your peaceful yard into their home. Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to get rid of ants in your yard on your own, using simple, practical solutions.

1. Locate the Ant Nest

Before you start eliminating ants, it’s crucial to locate their nest. Ants build their homes in a variety of places, and knowing where their nest is will help you target your efforts. Look for the following signs:

• Ant Trails: Follow the trail of ants to identify where they are coming from and going to. This will lead you to their nest.
• Dirt Mounds: Some ants, like pavement ants, build visible dirt mounds around their nest. These are easy to spot in your yard.
• Wet or Damaged Wood: Carpenter ants often nest in moist or decaying wood. Check for any wood damage or excess moisture around your deck, fence posts, or other wooden structures.

Once you’ve located the nest, you can move forward with the most effective treatment options.

2. Use Natural Remedies

Natural remedies can be highly effective in getting rid of ants, especially when used early in the infestation. Here are some tried-and-true methods:

Cinnamon

Cinnamon works as a powerful deterrent for ants. The strong smell confuses them, making it difficult for ants to find their way around. You can use both ground cinnamon and cinnamon essential oil.

• Ground cinnamon: Sprinkle it directly around the nest, ant trails, and any cracks or entry points around your home.
• Cinnamon oil spray: Mix a few drops of cinnamon oil with water in a spray bottle and apply it to areas where ants are active.

Vinegar

Vinegar is another effective natural repellent. It’s inexpensive and easy to use.

• Vinegar solution: Mix one part vinegar to one part water in a spray bottle. Apply it directly to ant trails and nests. The vinegar will break down their scent trails, making it harder for ants to communicate with each other and navigate.
• For stubborn nests: Pour undiluted vinegar directly onto the nest to disrupt the colony.

Diatomaceous Earth (DE)

Diatomaceous Earth is a natural, non-toxic substance that works wonders for getting rid of ants. It’s safe for pets and children when used properly but deadly for ants.

• How to use it: Sprinkle DE around ant nests, along trails, and around the perimeter of your yard. Ants will walk through the powder, which will dehydrate and kill them over time.

Lemon Juice

The citrus scent of lemon acts as a natural ant deterrent. Ants dislike the acidic properties of lemon juice, which can throw off their scent trails and drive them away.

• Lemon spray: Mix lemon juice with water and spray it along the trails or directly on the nest. You can also place lemon rinds near entry points.

These natural remedies are eco-friendly and safe for pets and children when used properly, but they might require a little more time and patience to fully work.

3. Use Ant Baits and Traps

If you’re dealing with a persistent infestation, ant baits are an excellent option. These contain a slow-acting poison that worker ants carry back to the colony, killing the queen and the rest of the ants. Here’s how to effectively use ant baits:

• Placement: Place ant baits close to ant trails, near nest openings, and along the edges of your yard. The ants will carry the bait back to the colony, and it will eventually kill the queen.
• Don’t disturb the ants: Once you place the bait, try not to disturb the ants. They need time to collect the bait and carry it back to the nest.
• Refill or replace: Check the baits regularly. If the ants have consumed the bait, refill or replace it to ensure the colony continues to be affected.

There are several types of baits available, including liquid, gel, and granular, so choose one that fits your needs. Keep in mind that ant baits can be harmful to pets if not placed in areas they cannot access.

4. Create Physical Barriers

If ants are making their way into your yard from other areas, creating a physical barrier can help stop them from spreading further.

Gravel Borders

Ants avoid traveling across dry, coarse materials like gravel. Creating a barrier of gravel around the perimeter of your lawn or garden will deter ants from entering and setting up shop.

• How to create a barrier: Spread a thick layer of gravel or coarse sand around the area where ants are most active. This can be particularly helpful near gardens, patios, or walkways where ants are likely to move.

Cinnamon and Coffee Grounds

Both cinnamon and coffee grounds can act as a natural barrier to ants.

• Cinnamon: Sprinkle ground cinnamon along the edges of your yard or garden beds to create a physical boundary that ants won’t cross.
• Coffee grounds: Ants dislike the strong scent of coffee. Sprinkle used coffee grounds around ant-prone areas to keep them away.

5. Maintain a Clean Yard

Ants are often drawn to areas with food sources or moisture. Keeping your yard clean and well-maintained can make it much less inviting for these pests.

Food Sources

• Clean up spills quickly: Whether it's food, drinks, or pet food, ants are attracted to crumbs, sugary substances, and grease. Clean up spills as soon as they happen to avoid drawing ants into your yard.
• Store trash properly: Keep outdoor trash cans sealed tightly. If you have compost bins, make sure they are properly covered and situated away from areas where ants frequent.

Moisture Control

• Limit standing water: Ants are attracted to moist environments, so ensure that there is no standing water in your yard. Check sprinklers and drainage systems to ensure they aren’t creating ideal conditions for ants.
• Fix leaking pipes: If you have any plumbing issues around your yard or home, be sure to repair them promptly. Carpenter ants, in particular, seek out moist wood, and fixing leaks will help deter them.

Trimming Plants and Trees

Ants are adept at finding food and shelter in places like plants, trees, and shrubs. Overgrown plants and trees can offer ants easy access to your home and garden. Here’s how to manage vegetation around your property:

• Trim back shrubs and trees: Regularly trim back branches and shrubs that touch your house or hang over walkways. Ants often use tree branches to access your roof or the walls of your home. By maintaining a clear distance between plants and your house, you can block ants from finding their way inside.
• Clear overgrown plants: Thick, dense foliage can provide ants with shelter and hiding places. Clearing out excess vegetation allows for better airflow and sunlight, making the area less appealing to ants. Regularly check garden beds and other plant-filled areas for ant activity and address any signs of an infestation early.

Picking Up Fallen Fruit

Fallen fruit is a major attractant for ants, as they thrive on sugary substances. Many types of ants, such as sugar ants and carpenter ants, will readily gather fallen fruit to take back to their nests.

• Collect fallen fruit promptly: If you have fruit-bearing trees in your yard, regularly check for and remove any fallen fruit. Apples, pears, peaches, and other fruit can become a magnet for ants if left unattended.

A well-maintained yard is less likely to attract ants and other pests.

6. Water Your Lawn Less Often

Ants are attracted to moisture, so adjusting your watering habits can make your yard less inviting to them.

• Water deeply but less frequently: Instead of watering every day, aim for 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, depending on the weather and grass type. Watering less often encourages deep root growth and reduces surface moisture, making your yard less appealing to ants.
• Water early in the morning: Early watering allows moisture to be absorbed before the heat of the day, reducing excess moisture and helping the grass dry by evening. This prevents conditions that attract ants and promote fungal growth.
• Use an irrigation system: A smart sprinkler or drip system helps control water usage, ensuring your lawn receives the right amount based on season and weather.
• Check for leaks or run-off: After watering, look for standing water or pooling moisture, which can create an ideal environment for ants. Fix any leaks or drainage issues promptly to discourage nest-building.

By watering properly, you reduce the chances of attracting ants and help your lawn thrive.

7. Use Commercial Ant Killers

If you have a larger infestation and need a more aggressive approach, commercial ant killers may be necessary. These can be applied directly to the nest or along the trails to kill ants and their colonies. These products are designed to kill ants on contact or over time. 

• Granular treatments: These can be sprinkled around the perimeter of your yard or on ant nests to kill ants and repel others.
• Liquid treatments: Apply these directly to ant nests or along trails. Liquid solutions can also act as barriers when sprayed along pathways.
• Aerosol sprays: Use these for quick results. They can be applied directly to visible ants and nests for immediate relief.

Be cautious when using chemicals, especially around children and pets. Opt for products that are labeled as safe for use outdoors and follow safety instructions closely.

Call a Professional Pest Control Service

If you're struggling with ants in your yard or home, Custom Lawn Care, Inc. is here to assist. Our experts provide personalized advice on preventing ants and offer effective perimeter treatments to keep them out. Using family-friendly insecticides, we create a safe barrier around your home that repels ants and other pests, ensuring they stay outdoors. Contact us today for a consultation and let us help protect your property from ants year-round.