Put An End To Ant Hills With The Help Of One Powerful Garden Staple

There is nothing worse than looking out at your beautiful lawn and seeing a bunch of ant hills dotting the landscape. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to get rid of ant hills in your yard naturally without harsh chemicals, and one of the most effective is diatomaceous earth. This fine, powdery substance is made from fossilized aquatic organisms called diatoms and works by physically killing ants without chemicals. When ants encounter diatomaceous earth, the tiny sharp edges of the powder pierce their exoskeletons, causing them to dehydrate and die within hours. Unlike a chemical pesticide, which can leach into your soil, diatomaceous earth is non-toxic to humans, pets, and plants when used correctly.

The substance works well on ant hills since it will eventually disrupt the entire colony. Worker ants carry the powder back to their nests on their bodies without even realizing it, spreading it to other ants, including the queen. Over time, this eliminates the colony at its source rather than just scattering the pests temporarily. You will want to use food-grade diatomaceous earth, which is safer for residential use than the industrial-grade versions. It is also important to keep it dry since moisture will reduce its effectiveness, so make sure you apply it during a day with no rain in the forecast.

Using diatomaceous earth is easy. Start by locating active ant hills in your yard. Wear gloves and a dust mask to avoid any irritation and sprinkle a thin layer of powder directly onto the mound and its surrounding areas. Focus on the entry points and ant trails. These are high-traffic zones that the powder will have the most impact on. If you have a larger nest, or one that goes much deeper, try poking holes into the hill with a stick before applying so the powder can cover more ground. Any moisture will diminish its ability to work, so reapply if the area gets wet. Once the pests are cleared, you can easily eliminate the ant hills with simple garden tools.

While the diatomaceous earth is generally safe, there are precautions you should be aware of. Wear safety gear and apply it on calm days so you can avoid inhaling large amounts, as it can irritate your lungs. Try to keep it away from plants that beneficial insects, like bees, enjoy. The diatomaceous earth will harm them on contact. If you have pets, keep them away from the area to ensure they do not ingest or inhale the powder. For extra success, use diatomaceous earth alongside other lawn tricks that keep ants from building hills in your yard. Whether you are dealing with small mounds or a large infestation, diatomaceous earth is a low-cost and eco-friendly way to take care of your ant problem.