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Ants Galore

Mrs-C-J-NMrs-C-J-N Posts: 5
in Problem solving
I wondered if anyone could help me with a huge problem I have in my garden - ants! Last year we noticed a big increase in the number of ants in the both the garden borders and in the lawn and this year sadly it seems we are going to have the same problem. We have both black ants and yellow meadow ants - we think due to the fact we are bordered on two sides by fields. We have lots of nests of both in the lawn but particularly meadow ants and my raised cut flower beds are absolutely teeming with both this Spring. Last year they covered young seedlings I tried to plant and seem to have infested my dahlia tubers left in over Winter this Spring. I wondered if anyone else has the same problem and/or if anyone knows of any way I can work to get rid of them at all? Any help at this point would be hugely appreciated. 
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  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    I have ants in my grass and in the raised veg beds.  I use boiling water direct on the nests, as well as trying to keep the areas extra wet in the hope they will relocate to a more suitable location.  

    Someone sells a liquid gel poison that is evidently quite successful.. but with small kids and a dog, I have avoided poisons in my garden.  
    Utah, USA.
  • Mrs-C-J-NMrs-C-J-N Posts: 5
    Thanks for your reply Blue Onion, same here in terms of avoiding poisons. I hadn't heard of keeping the areas extra wet - might give that a try and hope for some good ol'British rain! Unfortunately I live in one of the driest parts of the country! 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Treat your garden with Nematodes for ants https://www.nematodesdirect.co.uk/9-no-ants-nematodes ... the ants will be uncomfortable and move away, hopefully back into the meadows from whence they came.   And nothing will be harmed by boiling water or chemicals  :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    I didn't know they had nematodes for ants.. how interesting.  Thanks for sharing Dove.  
    Utah, USA.
  • Mrs-C-J-NMrs-C-J-N Posts: 5
    Thanks for replying Dove. Are these nematodes different to the ones used for slugs? I ask as I used the ones for slugs last year and it sadly didn't seem to make a difference to the ant problem. Guess there could be different kinds specific to the pest?
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Oh yes, specific nematodes for each creature.  

    https://www.nematodesdirect.co.uk/9-no-ants-nematodes 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Mrs-C-J-NMrs-C-J-N Posts: 5
    Brilliant, thank you Dove. Anyone had any success with them? 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I've not had a need to use them, but I know of a bowling green where they were used successfully. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Singing GardenerSinging Gardener Posts: 1,237
    Ant nematodes worked very well for me to get rid of ants nests in my lawn but they do only relocate and I'm not sure how far away they will go - I still have loads of ants nests in the rest of the garden.
  • Mrs-C-J-NMrs-C-J-N Posts: 5
    Thanks Singing Gardener - this is my worry as it only relocates them will they not just move flower beds. Last year they absolutely covered my seedlings and seemed to eat them too - debate was had if they actually do eat them though, any ideas? I am worried if I spend on the nematodes then they will just appear somewhere else and not back into the field where I want them to go! Ha! I have never seen so many before and this year looks worse than last so keen to do something. 
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