The seasonally dry weather of April and May led to a drastic increase in the number of ants in the territory. In most situations, it isn’t the ants that are an issue, but the anthills which are like mini-mole hills across the territory.
They prefer to live in dry light soils and have the ability to shift a large portion of soil onto the territory’s ground and thus cause havoc to the mower as these raised surfaces can get easily scalped when mowing.
Luckily there is something which you can do to control the ants. Here are some of the best methods you can use to control ants and their anthills.
1. Biological Control University and government researchers have imported and even tested natural enemies of ants, like parasitic decapitating flies from S. America. These enemies have succeeded in locations where they have been placed but they aren’t available to the ordinary public. However, ongoing test programs in ants infested areas are making these flies more common in the territory. Other biological control agents obtained from retail market, like parasitic nematodes, don’t sustain themselves or even spread on their own when they are released.
2. Home remedies A lot of home remedies have been developed to control ants. Drenching a mound with 2 to 3 gallons of boiling water eradicates ants colonies about 60% of the time, but it also kill any plant the water contact. In addition, this method is tiring and the boiling water need to be handled carefully.
Other home remedies like applying molasses, aspartame, club soda or instant grits to ant mounds don’t work. Pouring ammonia, diesel fuel or chlorine on mounds can contaminate groundwater and soil, is dangerous and highly discouraged.
3. Organic product Some products are licensed as organic. They include various ingredients such as spinosad (a chemical complex produced by a soil microbe) or d-limonene (an extract from citrus oil).
4. Chemical controlIn most states, the use of insecticides for ants control is controlled by the Environmental Protection Agency. Licensed products should be used according t the instructions. Always read the manual carefully. A licensed product is one with directions for ants control on the instruction manual.
In addition, ensure that the product is appropriate for the territory you intend to use it, especially if you intend to treat other food production areas. Chemical products may not be easily available in ordinary retail markets and some are for use only by a Pest Control Officer.