Here’s How to Get Anthills Out of the Yard

Is your yard covered in anthills and their many tenants? You’re likely ready to evict these unwanted guests, and we can’t blame you. Not only do anthills blemish the overall look of your landscape but their rapid construction also makes it easy to find yourself stepping into one that wasn’t there the day before, and facing the pain of the furious ants inside

Whatever the reason anthills are causing you trouble, our experts in integrative pest management are here to help. Learn how to get rid of anthills in your yard effectively!

How to Get Anthills Out of Your Yard

Here are a few DIY methods you can try at home to get rid of anthills in your yard:

Wash Out Anthills w/ Boiling Water

Did you know boiling water is a cheap but effective anthill killer? Boil two to three gallons of water over each ant hill, targeting as much surface area as possible. This treatment should collapse the anthill and wipe out the entire colony.

Vinegar Vacates Ants

Another natural (yet stronger) method than boiling water to eliminate anthills in your yard involves a vinegar solution. Dilute one cup of vinegar (white vinegar or apple cider vinegar will do!) in a mixture with three cups of water then pour this solution into an empty spray bottle.

This mixture will not negatively affect your lawn if you do not overspray. If this treatment kills grass or plants around the anthills you target, add more water to dilute the vinegar further. 

Combining the above two treatments can be highly effective; just be cautious when handling boiling water and vinegar and transporting them outside. If you have sensitive skin, wear gloves!

Sprinkle on Some Sugar (and Poison!)

Everyone knows ants can’t resist a sweet treat, so use their weakness against them. Combine powdered sugar with boric acid (borax) or baking soda and sprinkle it around and on the anthill. The ants will be drawn to the sugar and either eat it right then or bring back the powdery prize to their brood. 

Once the ants eat the mixture, it poisons and kills them. This method is best for smaller anthill problems or to kill off an anthill you can’t immediately find.

Bleach Out Ants

Bleach is a strong chemical, so pouring it all over an anthill will undoubtedly result in the colony perishing. However, bleach exposure can destroy grass and plants, so this method should be used as a last resort.

When to Call Our Experts

There are a few reasons why DIY methods to get rid of anthills in your yard might not work for you, such as: 

  1. You’ve tried them all, and nothing’s working.
  2. You are not physically able to try these techniques due to injury, age, disability, or other reasons.
  3. You’re sensitive to strong chemicals.
  4. You’re allergic to ants.
  5. You are too busy with other things.

If any of these apply to you, let our experts know; we’ll gladly come to your home or place of business to eliminate those anthills and implement preventative measures to restore your peace of mind. 

We have proudly served Alabama families at Vulcan Termite and Pest Control since 1965. Whenever you need us for our integrative pest management control services, we’ll gladly protect you and your family with our effective solutions! Call us at 205-663-4200 or contact us online to learn more about our affordable, effective pest control solutions.

Thanks for reading! Check out our pest blog to learn more about the pests and other creatures found in Alabama.