Red ants are a species of arachnid native to the Southern United States. They are also commonly referred to as fire ants due to their highly aggressive nature and tendency to attack anything nearby. Red ants can be a real nuisance for homeowners, especially those who have them in their yard or even on the property. Ants love humid environments with plenty of gardens and greenery for them to thrive. If you think you have an ant problem, read on for some quick tips on how to get rid of red ants outside!
How To Get Rid Of Red Ants Outside?
Get rid of moisture
One of the most common reasons for red ants infesting your property is moisture. Red ants are attracted to the damp soil around your home’s foundation, as well as any water leaks within your home’s plumbing system. They use this water to build their mounds, which can cause serious damage to your property and lead to costly repairs. You’ll want to get rid of any moisture source around your home that could be attracting red ants – including leaky pipes. You’ll also want to keep your lawn as dry as possible, especially during the rainy season. To help prevent moisture buildup on your property, make sure to sweep or rake leaves and other debris off your lawn and walkways regularly. Avoid overwatering your lawn, especially during the warmer months. You can also install an ant barrier around your foundation to prevent red ants from getting indoors.
Use boric acid
Boric acid is a common household insecticide that can be used to kill red ants. Boric acid is often used to treat ants because it’s a slow-acting poison that kills ants over several days. That said, ants can live up to six weeks after ingesting enough boric acid. So, if you use boric acid to kill red ants, you may have to wait several weeks for the ants to die. Boric acid is most effective when mixed with sugar water and placed in bait stations. This type of bait is designed to attract ants and then slowly kill them. Bait stations can be purchased at most hardware stores or home improvement stores. You can also use a clean tuna or peanut butter jar with the lid removed to hold the bait. You should wait at least two hours after baiting ants before applying insecticide. This will ensure that the ants have had enough time to feed and ingest the boric acid. Some common insecticides that contain boric acid include Termidor and Ant Café Plus.
Spray with an insecticide
Most commercial sprays designed to kill red ants are slow-acting poisons. This is ideal because you’re not killing the ants immediately, which would make them wander off and die outside your property. This is helpful because it means you can treat the mounds outside your home and prevent ants from coming inside. Some common and poisons that are labeled for red ants include Termidor, Premise, and Maxforce. Keep in mind that sprays made for killing ants are also harmful to humans and animals. Before spraying, make sure to read the product label and use the recommended dosage. Be sure to use gloves and a mask while applying the spray to avoid accidentally poisoning yourself or your pets.
Set up Traps
There are a variety of ant traps that can be used to trap red ants. These ant traps will kill ants when they get trapped inside. However, they may not kill all of the ants in the mound. Some ant traps are designed to kill ants, whereas others are designed to catch ants and then release them outside. Common ant traps made for red ants include: – Ant Moat – These are round-shaped water traps that can be placed on the ground around your home. They’re designed to catch ants when they walk across the water and then drown. – Bait Stations – There are a variety of ant bait stations that can be used to lure and trap red ants. They typically contain a mixture of sugar and insecticide. – Red Ant Bowl – This bowl-shaped trap is designed to kill red ants by drowning them. You can place the bowl on a mound or on the ground near your home.
Apply dry ice
Dry ice is a carbon dioxide solid that sublimes into a gas once it comes into contact with the air. You can use dry ice to kill red ant mounds by placing it inside the mound. Once the dry ice comes into contact with the warm air inside the mound, it will sublimate into a gas very quickly. This sudden release of carbon dioxide gas within the mound will kill the ants inside. Dry ice can be purchased at many grocery stores, as well as online. If you purchase dry ice, always wear gloves when handling it. Mounds can be difficult to get rid of if they’re built on the side of your house. Here are some tips for safely removing mounds from your home.
How To Identify Red Ants?
- Red ants are a type of fire ant that is reddish-brown in color. They are also sometimes referred to as Argentine Ants or Black Ants. Red ants are incredibly common in the Southern United States and can commonly be found in yards, gardens, and even inside homes.
- Red ants are distinguishable from other species by their two-toned appearance. They have reddish-brown bodies, tinged with a yellow or orange color.
- Red ants also have black legs and a darker abdomen. Red ants are large in size and are easily identifiable.
- They are considered to be one of the largest species of ants in North America. Depending on the variety, red ants can grow to be between 1/8 and 1/4 of an inch in length.
Natural Ways To Repel Red Ants
- Basil: It’s common knowledge that basil is a great herb to cook with, but did you know it’s also a great repellent against red ants? Basil is an excellent herb to grow in your garden or even in pots on the patio. Basil is not only useful as a repellent against red ants but also other pests as well. –
- Cinnamon: One of the most common (and effective) ways to repel red ants is with cinnamon. You can sprinkle cinnamon anywhere you’ve spotted red ants as a way to keep them out of your yard.
- Peppermint: Just like cinnamon, peppermint is a great herb to grow in your garden to repel red ants. Peppermint is a very potent herb and has a strong smell that red ants despise.
Tips For Keeping Red Ants Out
- Keep your lawn tidy: If you notice red ants in your yard, one of the best ways to keep them away is by keeping your lawn tidy. Trim overgrown grass and keep your yard clean. Red ants love to travel and prefer to walk along walls, floors, and gardens.
- Keep your house clean and tidy: Red ants are incredibly industrious and will oftentimes find their way indoors. You can keep red ants out of your house by keeping it clean and tidy. When you’re cooking, be sure to clean up right away and keep your kitchen and bathroom tidy.
- Seal off openings: If you notice red ants indoors, one of the first things you’ll want to do is seal off any openings they are using to gain access to the inside of your home.
Tips To Prevent Red Ant Infestations?
- Remove food sources: Red ants love humid environments with plenty of gardens and greenery. If you see red ants in your yard or on the property, you probably have a food source nearby that they’re taking advantage of. You’ll want to eliminate as many food sources as possible. Get rid of any pet food left outside, collect fallen fruit and keep food in sealed containers when not in use.
- Cut back vegetation: Red ants love to travel and will often time walk up walls and floors. In humid environments such as a potted plant or a flower bed, ants will use these plants as a bridge to enter your home. Make sure to cut back any overgrown vegetation and keep your home and yard tidy.
- Seal off entry points: Red ants don’t just climb walls and gardens. They can also enter your home through small openings such as cracks in the foundation or gaps in the wall. Make sure to seal off any entry points to your home to prevent a full-blown infestation.
Conclusion
Red ants are a species of arachnid native to the Southern United States. They are also commonly referred to as fire ants due to their highly aggressive nature and tendency to attack anything nearby. If you think you have an ant problem, read on for some quick tips on how to get rid of red ants outside! If you see red ants in your yard or on the property, you probably have a food source nearby that they’re taking advantage of. If you follow these steps, you should be able to get rid of red ants in no time.