Killing large ant hills on lawns?

[irv]

I have 2 large ant hills on my lawn and I am looking for a natural way to kill/eradicate*them. Unfortunately, we can longer use pest killer/fertilizer mix up here where I live so I am wondering what others have used, naturally, to kill them?

I watch a few youtube vids and some say boiling water, Dawn dish soap, Borax, vinegar or simply drown them with a garden hose.

I assume most of you guys south of me in the U.S. can use pesticides but I am wondering, besides those, what else you have used that works?

Thanks.*

[Peter_Spaeth]

Might I suggest one of these.

[58pinson]

Better on the lawn than in the house! I've had good luck with baits of corn syrup and borax. Don't mix them myself though, all the home center/hardware stores sell them. They work in a delayed fashion. The corn syrup attracts the ants, they eat it, bring it back to the nest, the traps get swarmed by the rest following the pheromone trails, and then the borax disables their intestinal track and they die. It's pretty simple if you just follow the instructions. Good luck.

[bnorth]

I use ground (cayenne) red pepper. Just generously sprinkle it on and around the ant hills. They will leave.

If you have pets keep them away from that area because it will burn their paws.

EDIT: This also works great if you have them in your house. Heavily sprinkle it around the entire foundation of your house on the outside for a barrier.

[irv]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Might I suggest one of these.

LOL, Peter!

Originally Posted by 58pinson

Better on the lawn than in the house! I've had good luck with baits of corn syrup and borax. Don't mix them myself though, all the home center/hardware stores sell them. They work in a delayed fashion. The corn syrup attracts the ants, they eat it, bring it back to the nest, the traps get swarmed by the rest following the pheromone trails, and then the borax disables their intestinal track and they die. It's pretty simple if you just follow the instructions. Good luck.

Originally Posted by bnorth

I use ground (cayenne) red pepper. Just generously sprinkle it on and around the ant hills. They will leave.

If you have pets keep them away from that area because it will burn their paws.

EDIT: This also works great if you have them in your house. Heavily sprinkle it around the entire foundation of your house on the outside for a barrier.

I just purchased these at our local CDN Tire store as they were suggested to me from a couple guys on a snowmobile forum I belong to. Supposedly, these are the best? They have only been available in Canada a few years but are suppose to work better than anything else we have been able to get in the past? Time will tell?
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/te...-0598829p.html

Thanks guys!

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[bnorth]

Terro is a joke and does not work. At least in my experience. We tried it with no luck before we used the red pepper that did work great.

[irv]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Terro is a joke and does not work. At least in my experience. We tried it with no luck before we used the red pepper that did work great.

I hope you're wrong, Ben. These hills seem to be getting bigger by the day so I need something to get rid of them now.

I did see some vids using Borax and Corn Syrup, so that will be my next attempt if these don't do the trick?

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by irv

I hope you're wrong, Ben. These hills seem to be getting bigger by the day so I need something to get rid of them now.

I did see some vids using Borax and Corn Syrup, so that will be my next attempt if these don't do the trick?

Terro is basically corn syrup with 5% Borax. Maybe if you mix your own with a higher % of Borax it might work. I have tried Terro a few times with no luck. It does work good to attract them though.

Good luck Dale, ants suck.

[JollyElm]

Yowza, I couldn't possibly disagree more. Terro has worked ridiculously well for me. Granted, it was mainly for inside ants, but I also used it outside a couple of times (mainly where there were untold numbers of ants emanating out of cracks in the cement) and POOF!!! the colonies disappeared in a couple of days. They are drawn to the stuff like crazy and bring it back to the queen, which ends up snuffing her out. Haven't tried it with actual anthills, so it's possible that it doesn't work as well in that scenario, but it is certainly lethal to 'normal' indoor ant colonies. I don't use the traps, instead I buy a bottle of the liquid (below) so I can squirt it exactly where it needs to go. Just find the trail of ants and put a decent amount of the goop right along their route and they'll start feeding and telling their friends to come on over for a sweet buffet.

Good luck!!

photo.jpg

[58pinson]

Dale,

I would be more optimistic than Ben about the effectiveness of the Terro (the brand name had skipped my mind when I made the initial post) bait stations. I've had decent luck with regular looking ants. Of course if you're dealing with a "Naked Jungle" army ant infestation I'm not so sure. It's not the first time I've heard of Ben's suggestion of the cayenne. Also heard that cinnamon is something they abhor. Annihilate them!

[Griffins]

Leon has extensive experience with this, especially fire ants. Hopefully he'll chime in

[Leon]

Ya'll don't want to know what I do.

Originally Posted by Griffins

Leon has extensive experience with this, especially fire ants. Hopefully he'll chime in

[Sean]

Originally Posted by Leon

Ya'll don't want to know what I do.

Shotgun at close range?

[Griffins]

Flamethrowers at dawn
Eyebrows are overrated

[irv]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

Yowza, I couldn't possibly disagree more. Terro has worked ridiculously well for me. Granted, it was mainly for inside ants, but I also used it outside a couple of times (mainly where there were untold numbers of ants emanating out of cracks in the cement) and POOF!!! the colonies disappeared in a couple of days. They are drawn to the stuff like crazy and bring it back to the queen, which ends up snuffing her out. Haven't tried it with actual anthills, so it's possible that it doesn't work as well in that scenario, but it is certainly lethal to 'normal' indoor ant colonies. I don't use the traps, instead I buy a bottle of the liquid (below) so I can squirt it exactly where it needs to go. Just find the trail of ants and put a decent amount of the goop right along their route and they'll start feeding and telling their friends to come on over for a sweet buffet.

Good luck!!

Attachment 276227

I looked for the liquid today but all I could find was the traps that I purchased.
I seen a vid of the liquid and was amazed at how many ants came to the guys little tinfoil trays that he put out!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYu8TvewqGw

I have checked a few times now and have seen zero ants at the baits??
I did, earlier, bore a small hole in both nests then poured vinegar down them in a few places. (I read that this may work also?) so maybe that is why I haven't seen any, I don't know??

Thanks for the help so far, guys; I do appreciate it!

[JollyElm]

I guess I should have included in my post that none of the bait traps I put down ever worked, not even remotely. And those were from the titans of the pest elimination game (is that a phrase, or did I just coin it?), such as Raid. It was very disappointing. But since I had those traps already in place, I just squeezed some of the Terro into them/on them to try it out and the ants quickly appeared en masse to suck it up.

[irv]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

I guess I should have included in my post that none of the bait traps I put down ever worked, not even remotely. And those were from the titans of the pest elimination game (is that a phrase, or did I just coin it?), such as Raid. It was very disappointing. But since I had those traps already in place, I just squeezed some of the Terro into them/on them to try it out and the ants quickly appeared en masse to suck it up.

The baits I purchased are suppose to have that same liquid in them, but maybe not as strong?

I will try again to see if I can find the liquid. Hopefully I can!

Thanks again.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by Griffins

Flamethrowers at dawn
Eyebrows are overrated

I love the smell of napalm in the morning.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Sean

I love the smell of napalm in the morning.

Honestly, that is about it. .....I have tried everything and we have about 6 billion ants on our property. I use gasoline. A cup or so will kill a really big mound. All of the ant bait crap I have tried to use doesn't work. Gas does. And I should say I am one of the biggest eco-friendly guys in the world, to the chagrin of my neighbors. Good luck.,.,... btw, I guarantee it works. And it leaves a very small brown spot but after several rains the grass grows over it and back to nadda.....

[irv]

Originally Posted by Leon

Honestly, that is about it. .....I have tried everything and we have about 6 billion ants on our property. I use gasoline. A cup or so will kill a really big mound. All of the ant bait crap I have tried to use doesn't work. Gas does. And I should say I am one of the biggest eco-friendly guys in the world, to the chagrin of my neighbors. Good luck.,.,... btw, I guarantee it works. And it leaves a very small brown spot but after several rains the grass grows over it and back to nadda.....

I don't see much action with either trap I put on the front yard, but I also don't see many ants? Maybe my vinegar trick worked?

Last evening, while on the back patio, we had a major outbreak of small ants come from the edge of the patio where it meets the house. I put out a few of those Terro baits and a large number of ants were attracted to those.
All looks good tonight with very few ants running around. I checked inside those baits and most had quite a few ants in them, with, I think, the majority of them dead?

If my 2 large nests on the front yard are still active, I will try the gas trick. My only issue is, there are multiple holes so I am unsure if I dig a big one or just pour it all over the nest?

[tschock]

Originally Posted by irv

I don't see much action with either trap I put on the front yard, but I also don't see many ants? Maybe my vinegar trick worked?

Last evening, while on the back patio, we had a major outbreak of small ants come from the edge of the patio where it meets the house. I put out a few of those Terro baits and a large number of ants were attracted to those.
All looks good tonight with very few ants running around. I checked inside those baits and most had quite a few ants in them, with, I think, the majority of them dead?

If my 2 large nests on the front yard are still active, I will try the gas trick. My only issue is, there are multiple holes so I am unsure if I dig a big one or just pour it all over the nest?

I have had nothing but success with (liquid) Terro traps, both inside and out. You put it out and the first day the ants swarm to it. The next day they are gone. But I have never tried in on large ant hills though.

[Leon]

I spread it over the tops of them. But if that other stuff works, use it first .

Originally Posted by irv

I don't see much action with either trap I put on the front yard, but I also don't see many ants? Maybe my vinegar trick worked?

Last evening, while on the back patio, we had a major outbreak of small ants come from the edge of the patio where it meets the house. I put out a few of those Terro baits and a large number of ants were attracted to those.
All looks good tonight with very few ants running around. I checked inside those baits and most had quite a few ants in them, with, I think, the majority of them dead?

If my 2 large nests on the front yard are still active, I will try the gas trick. My only issue is, there are multiple holes so I am unsure if I dig a big one or just pour it all over the nest?

[Jantz]

Dale

Tips.net says to use lemon juice or bay leaves. There is an article on the website that explains what to do. Might be an inexpensive solution to try.

Sometimes these "home remedies" really work. A few years ago my girlfriend & I tried one of these remedies for fleas and we never had any fleas on our cat or in our home.

[frankbmd]

Does it matter if they are large old ants on any old hill or if they are any old ant on a large old hill?

We had some carpenter ants once upon a time in our log home. I asked the guy doing the repairs how he knew they were carpenter ants. His reply

"They're the ones with pencils on their ears."

End of monologue. Back to vaudeville.

[irv]

Originally Posted by Leon

I spread it over the tops of them. But if that other stuff works, use it first .

Seems like most are gone tonight. I just finished cutting the grass and seen hardly any activity. I am like you, Leon, I won't resort with the gas method until I have exhausted all options.

Originally Posted by Jantz

Dale

Tips.net says to use lemon juice or bay leaves. There is an article on the website that explains what to do. Might be an inexpensive solution to try.

Sometimes these "home remedies" really work. A few years ago my girlfriend & I tried one of these remedies for fleas and we never had any fleas on our cat or in our home.

Thanks for the tip on the Tips.net, Jantz. I will be sure to see what I can find.

Originally Posted by frankbmd

Does it matter if they are large old ants on any old hill or if they are any old ant on a large old hill?

We had some carpenter ants once upon a time in our log home. I asked the guy doing the repairs how he knew they were carpenter ants. His reply

"They're the ones with pencils on their ears."

End of monologue. Back to vaudeville.

I seen your reply, Frank, and knew right away it was going to be humorous rather than helpful,,,,, but I do appreciate the laugh!

[Leon]

One thing about the gas. It works 100%. No debate about will it work or not.
I used to actually light them on fire with the gas but then, one time when I did it, the fire traveled up the gas can and lit me on fire for a few seconds. It didn't burn any skin but it burned my clothes a bit. That was the last time I lit them. When I did it you could hear the ants pop, that was kind of cool. Now when I do it they all just curl up and pass away in their sleep, immediately.

BTW, if I had a smaller yard I probably wouldn't do it. Our last house had a small front and back yard and I am not sure I would do it there. We have some room for it to dissipate....

Originally Posted by irv

Seems like most are gone tonight. I just finished cutting the grass and seen hardly any activity. I am like you, Leon, I won't resort with the gas method until I have exhausted all options.

Thanks for the tip on the Tips.net, Jantz. I will be sure to see what I can find.

I seen your reply, Frank, and knew right away it was going to be humorous rather than helpful,,,,, but I do appreciate the laugh!

[pawpawdiv9]

I thought it was grits or oatmeal. when they eat it, they will explode.
Generally gasoline works well on huge ones.
I use just the bag of powdered ant killer.

[irv]

Originally Posted by Leon

One thing about the gas. It works 100%. No debate about will it work or not.
I used to actually light them on fire with the gas but then, one time when I did it, the fire traveled up the gas can and lit me on fire for a few seconds. It didn't burn any skin but it burned my clothes a bit. That was the last time I lit them. When I did it you could hear the ants pop, that was kind of cool. Now when I do it they all just curl up and pass away in their sleep, immediately.

BTW, if I had a smaller yard I probably wouldn't do it. Our last house had a small front and back yard and I am not sure I would do it there. We have some room for it to dissipate....

Leon, I am curious if you have ever tried/used diesel fuel? If so, I assume it didn't work, but if you haven't, that might be a little less hazardous, no?

Originally Posted by pawpawdiv9

I thought it was grits or oatmeal. when they eat it, they will explode.
Generally gasoline works well on huge ones.
I use just the bag of powdered ant killer.

I have never heard of that one but you might be onto something?

I use to use the powder as well, but it seemed it only worked for a while and you were left with the mess, especially on the patio.

It's too early yet, I think, but I still see no ants on or around the hills.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by irv

Leon, I am curious if you have ever tried/used diesel fuel? If so, I assume it didn't work, but if you haven't, that might be a little less hazardous, no?

Diesel will leave your lawn dead for a longer period of time. Yes it also works.

As a kid in much different times we used Diesel fuel for weed killer.

[irv]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Diesel will leave your lawn dead for a longer period of time. Yes it also works.

As a kid in much different times we used Diesel fuel for weed killer.

Aah, OK. I can see that being the case.

Thanks, Ben.

[JollyElm]

Try a different approach. Put a couple of slabbed Mickey Mantle cards in your neighbor's yard and every single ant will cruise over there to check them out. Problem solved.

AMDRO for fire ants gone the next day

[egri]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

Try a different approach. Put a couple of slabbed Mickey Mantle cards in your neighbor's yard and every single ant will cruise over there to check them out. Problem solved.

I don't know about that, Darren. The ants might not collect postwar. Even if they do, they might all be Red Sox fans.

[EvilKing00]

Can u post a pic of the hill?

Id agree with leon, fire would b my choice

[irv]

Originally Posted by EvilKing00

Can u post a pic of the hill?

Id agree with leon, fire would b my choice

No specific pics but this vid shows pretty much what mine look like.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX4-O_dhezY

[Leon]

I will take a pic of ours after a while but they are different. Ours have the big ant mounds above and below the surface. I am not sure I would try gas on the ones below the surface.

Originally Posted by irv

No specific pics but this vid shows pretty much what mine look like.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX4-O_dhezY

[Big Six]

And I'm fascinated by this thread...wow.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[irv]

Originally Posted by Leon

I will take a pic of ours after a while but they are different. Ours have the big ant mounds above and below the surface. I am not sure I would try gas on the ones below the surface.

I didn't think our problems were the same when you mentioned about pouring the gas down the hole.
Like I mentioned earlier, mine are full of multi-holes/escape routes.

I did poke holes in my nests like in the vid and it's amazing when you find the voids. Those nests must look underground caves in there.

We got a little rain last night so I am curious what they look like today? Most times, after a rain, it's a flurry of activity as the ants try to repair the damage/cave in's.

[Leon]

here are a few pics of what I am talking about with ours... They start out as mounds above ground (when i see them, they might be below before that) and then after their gasoline bath they end up as flat, brown spots and then later they end up being fine again. Lots of room to disperse (and again, I fully know this isn't good for the ground, it is miniscule though and the ants bite like heck)

And of course a pic of one of the pack of three dogs we took in a few years ago, giving it a morning stretch. She knows she will be inside our house later today when it gets too hot out there.

[irv]

Originally Posted by Leon

here are a few pics of what I am talking about with ours... They start out as mounds above ground (when i see them, they might be below before that) and then after their gasoline bath they end up as flat, brown spots and then later they end up being fine again. Lots of room to disperse (and again, I fully know this isn't good for the ground, it is miniscule though and the ants bite like heck)

And of course a pic of one of the pack of three dogs we took in a few years ago, giving it a morning stretch. She knows she will be inside our house later today when it gets too hot out there.

Thanks for the pics/info, Leon. I just checked and the largest nest is still active but the smaller one seems dormant, so far.

I put Raid ant killer drops in a pickle jar lid and placed it on top where I seen the most ants. Surprisingly, but they are likely riled up, only a couple came to it. I will give this a day or 2 and if I still have no results, then I will dig a hole and fill it with water from the garden hose.
My backyard neighbor, who also had ant problems a couple years ago, said this worked for him.

I never dreamt these little buggers would be so hard to get rid of!

[LuckyLarry]

I just use what is sold at the hardware store with mixed results. Sometimes it seems that I just chase the fire ants around my yard.

[Leon]

That was my problem BEFORE gasoline. It seemed they didn't mind what I was putting on them and just kept going at the same beds I tried the ant-killer on. Since gasoline I have had 100% and immediate success.....and a few brown spots of grass.

Originally Posted by LuckyLarry

I just use what is sold at the hardware store with mixed results. Sometimes it seems that I just chase the fire ants around my yard.

[irv]

Originally Posted by LuckyLarry

I just use what is sold at the hardware store with mixed results. Sometimes it seems that I just chase the fire ants around my yard.

We can't get anything like that in the Nanny province I live in!

Not to get political, but I can't even purchase weed n feed for the lawn, but golf courses and farmers are still allowed to use it or course!