Killing large ant hills on lawns?

[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.