Houses and gardens are places very frequented by ants. These small pests can quickly become an invasion and begin stealing food and damaging plants.
Although we have to know that Most ants provide nutrients and help pollinate plants in the garden, They can also be a sign of more serious problems.
They are attracted to a secretion known as honeydew that aphids (a common pest in gardens) produce when they feed on plant sap. Before attempting to eliminate an ant colony that may be harmless, It is very important to identify which species they belong to.
Getting rid of them and preventing them from entering your home can be a complicated task. However, with the right approach and tactics, it is possible to minimize the problem and keep them under control.
types of ants
The first step to getting rid of them is to know what type of ants reside there. There are many different species, some of which can be beneficial to the garden.
Black ants: They promote pollination and soil aeration. They feed on plant nectar and are useful for garden beds.
Carpenters: They pierce the wood and leave large holes. They are capable of mutilating trees causing damage to the wooden structures of houses and buildings. They can threaten orchards as they rot the wooden structures that support some plants.
Leaf cutter ants: They are reddish brown in color, they remove the leaves of the plants to collect the fungi that they eat. It is very important to control these ant colonies because they can destroy entire gardens.
Of fire: Also known as red ants. They thrive in sunny areas and spread quickly. They are very aggressive and attack intruders that disturb their mounds by stinging them with their venom. They are a threat to orchards.
To identify the ant species in your garden, Take a handful of sand and spread it over the area where you suspect the ants reside.s. If you see traces of ants after 15 minutes, you may have an infestation problem.
Prevention is the best approach
Reducing the environment for ants is one of the best ways to help minimize the problem. Regularly remove leftover food, pet food and household objects that serve as shelter can help prevent them from building nests near houses. Keep the house is always clean and tidy It is ideal for avoiding all types of bacteria and bugs.
Ants are attracted to sugary and fatty foods, clean up spills and crumbs as soon as possible. Store sugary foods in airtight containers and place trash properly in containers.
Natural measures to get rid of ants
These measures are less toxic and harmful to your plants. Spray a soapy solution on the nest Made with water and dish detergent. This will suffocate them and kill the eggs.
Lining garden beds with diatomaceous earth It is an effective way to kill them. This abrasive substance is made from the remains of small aquatic organisms, and when they come into contact with the earth, they are injured, which causes their dehydration and final death.
White vinegar, can be used in aerosol as a repellent for ants, it can keep them away while its aroma lasts.
Another way is to pour a liter of white vinegar directly on the nest in the garden grass, is not harmful to the soil or plants, but is ideal for killing them on contact by drowning them.
Sprinkle the soil with coffee grounds that are left in the coffee maker. It is a natural repellent, the strong smell will prevent them from staying in your garden.
It is very important to keep in mind that most natural methods do not work immediately, and the ingredients are not as lethal as professional poisons that contain chemicals.
If the previous ingredients do not solve the problem, it is important to turn to garden centers. There they sell poisons in gel forms, they are attracted and are taken to the nest so that the queen can feast on it. This type of poison does not pose any threat to the garden or plants.
When applying powdered poisons it is better to place them inside the house since this way it cannot affect the plants or the soil due to the toxins.
Ant infestation in the home: more powerful measures
Baits can be placed around the perimeter of the house to attract and kill them.. The baits work on the idea of killing by transfer, meaning that the ants will consume the bait and carry it back to the nest, where the others will ingest the substance.
Sprinkle a natural ant repellent such as cinnamon around doors, windows and cracks can prevent them from entering the home. The strong smell of cinnamon repels them easily.
Check that your house is safe and well sealed It is also a good preventive measure against ant invasions.
Walk the perimeter of your house and look for cracks or holes. Seal the holes with caulk or spray foam. Make sure all doors and windows are closed and secured.
Keep grass and trees around your house trimmed and avoid contact with exterior walls. The ants will use them as a bridge to enter the house.
If you decide to use powdered poison at home you have to take precautions beforehand to keep pets and small children away.
Finally, before eliminating ants from the garden, it is important to spend time correctly identifying the species of ants, Applying natural pest control solutions and properly preparing your home will help you a lot. to get rid of ants in the garden and keep them out of the house.
With a little effort you can avoid unpleasant ant infestations and have a peaceful, pest-free environment. Remember to take all necessary precautions if you are going to use toxic poisons to eliminate them.