The Easy And Affordable Solution For Getting Rid Of Ant Hills In Your Yard

There are several ways to prevent ant hills from showing up in your yard, although it's important to keep in mind that having some ants can actually be beneficial. Despite being perceived as a nuisance, ants can help aerate soil, naturally add fertilizer to your lawn, and even eliminate other pests, such as grubs and termites. That being said, having too many ants around can wreak havoc and kill off large patches of grass. For that reason, if you spot a growing colony or bothersome ant hill, it's time to get to work.

From boiling water to garbage bags, there are various tricks to eliminate ant hills, but one of the easiest (and cheapest) is to use D-Fense Dust. A 1-pound bottle of this ready-to-use insecticide is available for under $15 at Walmart and is enough to treat up to 30 fire ant mounds. Once sprinkled on the affected area, the dust will continue to work and keep ants away for up to 8 months, if left untouched. The key is to apply it on a calm day with no wind and no rain in the forecast for at least 24 hours, so the powder doesn't get blown or washed away.

In addition to affordability and ease of use, another perk is that the active ingredient in D-Fense Dust — deltamethrin — is effective in killing pests but is not considered toxic to plants. Even so, you'll want to take the right precautions during application.

One easy way to eliminate ant hills is with essential tools you already own. Namely, you can flatten the mounds with a rake or shovel, which will encourage the ants to leave. However, this is only a temporary solution. A more permanent but equally simple option is to use D-Fense Dust. As its name suggests, this ready-to-use insecticide comes in powder form, so it's always a good idea to wear PPE while handling it. Although it has no smell, a facemask will minimize the risk of inhalation, while protective goggles and gloves will ensure no irritation. Application is as straightforward as sprinkling the substance by hand or via a power duster, then leaving it untouched to do all the work for you.

The key to success is to closely follow the label's instructions, which recommend using about 2 to 3 grams of D-Fense Dust per square yard. For regular ants, sprinkle dust onto any visible ant trails, as well as near doors and windows, to prevent them from leaving the yard and entering your home. For fire ants, on the other hand, take a disposable tablespoon and sprinkle about ½ ounce of powder onto the top of each ant hill. Ideally, do this when the outside temperature is between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Because D-Fense Dust doesn't absorb moisture and won't clump, you can leave it untouched and it will continue to work until it's displaced or washed away.