How do I get rid of ants in my garden?

Last year the ants moved into my vegetable garden and took over. They are little black ants and they bite. How do I get rid of them without contaminating the soil?

  4 answers
  • Barbara B Barbara B on Feb 20, 2019

    You need to catch some and identify the species. Cornmeal works on fire ants, a mix of boric acid and sugar works on some. If you find more than one nest you can take a shovelful from each nest and put it in the other, the ants will kill each other.

  • Robin Jones Ramberg Robin Jones Ramberg on Feb 20, 2019

    Thank you. I will try the boric acid and sugar first, if that doesn't work I will use the shovel.



  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Feb 20, 2019

    Hi Robin.

    Kill the nest - using Boiled water.

  • I use packaged cornbread mix that says it is sweetened and put it where they are. They will take it to the mound, everyone will eat it and die, they can't digest the cornmeal, but will take it because it is sweetened. Little goes a long way.


    I read this from : Itsmemic

    Medicated powder from the Dollar Tree. It has eucalyptus in it...menthol...I puff it around my homes foundation..and inside under my birdcages in the cracks under moldings. Work immediately and they never come back. I do this at the first sign of ants..in one day..GONE. The powder is in a very large container and lasts quite awhile too !! And smells great !

    Not toxic to my birds OR dog


    What if you make a barrier around the house.

    I did some research, since we know what works for one person doesn't always work for another. I found this site and it's pretty informative. I know some tips you may not be able to use but there are some good ones also that will hopefully help.

    https://www.familyhandyman.com/pest-control/how-to-get-rid-of-ants/view-all/


    Ants are so weird. One time I found them inside the freezer in the garage!! What would possess them to go inside a freezer only to die? They must have sent signals back or something ~ there were no ant trails only a freezer full of dead ants. Hasn't happened since.


    Ant Spray - https://www.hometalk.com/diy/outdoor/pest-repeller/cheap-easy-homemade-ant-spray-31195184?


    oatmeal and koolaid . cant digest the oatmeal. Good Luck ?!