How to Get Rid of Ants Naturally Outside

Few things can ruin your enjoyment of the outdoors faster than seeing a trail of ants weaving across your patio or infiltrating your carefully planted garden beds. While ants are vital for the environment, helping with pollination and soil aeration, they can quickly become unwelcome when they take over your space. But can you keep them at bay without dusting harsh chemicals around the same yard your family plays in? Learn how to get rid of ants naturally outside with eco-friendly methods that keep your yard safe for pets, children, and the planet.

1. Understanding the Ant Problem

The first step to solving a problem is understanding it—ants are no exception. These are common pests around our homes and gardens. Nearly 1,000 different types of ants march around the U.S. Each has their own adaptations that help them thrive and survive.

Identify the Species

Not all ants are created equal. Black garden ants, for example, are generally harmless but can cause havoc during a backyard barbecue. Some ants are even helpful, like pavement ants, because they eat termites and other pests.

On the other hand, fire ants or carpenter ants can be more aggressive to people and damaging to property. Identifying the species helps you choose the most effective natural remedy.

Ways to identify:

1. Observe their appearance. Look closely at the ants’ size, color, and distinguishing features. For example, fire ants are typically reddish and small, while carpenter ants are larger and often black or dark brown. 
2. Track their behavior. Notice whether the ants are trailing toward food sources, creating visible ant mounds, or burrowing into wood. Their behavior can provide clues about the species. 
3. Research common local species. Depending on your location, certain ant types are more prevalent. A quick online search or consultation with a local pest expert can help narrow it down. 

Know Their Habits

Ants are organized, relentless, and clever little creatures. They communicate using scent trails, which guide their fellow colony members to food and water sources. They build colonies in sheltered spots and are constantly foraging for sustenance. Sometimes you may not know you have an ant infestation until you walk outside at night and see an ant superhighway walking the eaves because that species was busier overnight.

Knowing ant habits gives you the upper hand in disrupting their patterns.

Locate the Nest 

Once you’ve identified the species, pinpoint their nest. Look for anthills, trails, or wood shavings near fences, under rocks, or around outdoor areas. Knowing the nest’s location allows you to effectively address the problem at its source. 

2. Prevention First: Eliminate Attractants

Prevention is always better than cure. Deter future infestations before ants even think about setting up camp around your yard and home:

Remove Food Sources

Ants are food hunters. Crumbs, sugary spills, and leftovers from outdoor meals attract them instantly. Keep your patio clean and clean up food spills right away. Store pet food in sealed containers, and double-check that your garbage bins have tight lids. When picnicking, remove the scent of food by keeping them in sealed containers when not actively serving.

Inside the home, clean up after meals to keep away tiny sugar ants and other species. Regularly sweep and mop up floors, too.

Eliminate Water Sources

Like all living beings, ants need water to survive. Ensure proper drainage around your yard. Get rid of any standing water in flower pots, birdbaths, or lids left lying around after rain.

Reduce Shelter Options

Ants love nesting in decaying wood, mulch piles, or dense areas of vegetation. Regularly turn over mulch, remove rotting timber, and trim overgrown plants to leave them fewer options to build a colony of ants.

3. Natural Remedies to Repel Ants

If prevention isn’t enough and you already see ants marching in line, try these chemical-free, effective methods to send them packing. Most methods focus on disrupting their scent trails. Ants use pheronomes to communicate.

Even better–these remedies are easy to source from household ingredients and can be easily applied with a spray bottle.

Note that while ideal for the environment, you must re-apply natural methods regularly to keep them working.

Citrus-Based Solutions

Ants dislike citrus. Scatter orange or lemon peels near their trails or use a citrus oil spray around problem areas. Not only does this deter ants, but it also leaves your yard smelling great.

Vinegar and Water Mix

A 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water works wonders. Spray it along ant trails or potential entry points to break those all-important scent trails. Alternatively, use a 50/50 of lemon juice and water to same effect.

Essential Oils

Peppermint, tea tree, and eucalyptus oils are natural ant repellents. Add a few drops to a clean plastic spray bottle with a cup of water, shake it up, and spray it around garden beds, potted plants, patios, or doors. It disrupts the ants’ sense of smell.

Coffee Grounds

Used coffee grounds are another simple, eco-friendly option. Spread them around ant-prone areas—ants detest the smell and texture.

Cinnamon and Spices

Ground cinnamon, cayenne pepper, or cloves are excellent deterrents. Even black pepper could work. Sprinkle them along pheromone trails or near entrances to discourage colonies from venturing closer.

Diatomaceous Earth

This powder is made from fossilized aquatic organisms. The methods above, like orangle peels and peppermint oil, don’t kill ants. But, the microscopic sharpness of the powder disrupts their exoskeletons. It is safe for humans and pets but deadly for ants. Sprinkle it lightly around areas of ant activity, and remember to reapply after rain.

4. Natural Methods to Destroy Ant Colonies

Sometimes, repelling isn’t enough, and you need to deal with the source of the problem directly. Here are some natural ways to eliminate entire colonies safely:

Boiling Water

Once you’ve located an ant nest, pour boiling water directly into it to eliminate the colony. Be careful and ensure no plants or beneficial creatures are harmed in the process. This may not work on all ants, as some are excellent swimmers, or the hot water may not penetrate far enough into the tunnels.

Soapy Water Spray

Mix water with a few drops of liquid dish soap and spray it directly on ants or into the nest. Soap disrupts their exoskeletons, effectively neutralizing them. It will take multiple applications.

Boric Acid Bait

Combine boric acid (also known as borax powder) with powdered sugar or corn syrup to create a natural bait. When ants consume it, it disrupts their digestive systems and kills the colony from within. Keep this out of reach of pets and children. Again, this method takes time to work but it is an effective pesticide.

Cornmeal Trap

Ants eat cornmeal but can’t digest it. Place small piles near nests or trails to gradually reduce their numbers.

Diatomaceous Earth

Again, this white power effectively kills ants on contact. Sprinkle on and around ant mounts to eliminate and cut them off.

5. Long-Term Maintenance

Keeping ants out of your yard requires regular maintenance to stop new colonies from forming. Maintain an ant-free space all year round by:

Outdoor Cleaning

Rake leaves, remove yard debris, and clean up after outdoor meals. Store any firewood or composting piles away from the home, too. A well-maintained yard presents fewer opportunities for ants to settle in. It keeps away sources of food and water they find appealing.

Landscaping for Defense

Plant lavender, marigolds, or mint around your yard—ants dislike these natural repellents. Plus, they’re a pretty addition to your landscaping! These plants help deter other annoying pests, too.

Maintain Natural Barriers

Regularly reapply natural repellents like diatomaceous earth, coffee grounds, or essential oils to keep ants away. Think of it as an invisible barrier of insect repellant around your home and garden. Plus, the strong smells of citrus peels and lemon rind make flower beds less appealing to cats.

Remove Entry Points 

Inspect your home for small cracks, gaps around windows and doors, or spaces in your foundation where ants might enter. Seal these areas with caulk or weather stripping to block their access. Pay special attention to utility lines and plumbing entry points, as these are common paths for ants to invade. A thorough seal minimizes the chances of an ant infestation.

6. When to Seek Professional Help

Sometimes, ant infestations can get out of hand, no matter how thorough you are. If you notice multiple large colonies, aggressive ants, or recurring issues despite your best efforts, it might be time to call in the professionals. Look for eco-friendly pest control services that focus on natural solutions.

Wrapping Up

Ants might be tiny, but they can seriously ruin your outdoor fun. The good news? You can take back your yard without resorting to harsh chemicals. By learning their tricks and using simple, eco-friendly solutions, you can keep your outdoor space ant-free and enjoy it to the fullest—naturally and sustainably! Follow these steps and enjoy an outdoor space that’s yours to enjoy once again!

FAQs

How do I know if ants have damaged my home?

While most ants are more of a nuisance than a structural threat, certain species can cause significant damage to your property. Watch out for these, as it may indicate ant-related damage:

• Frass or Sawdust-like Debris: Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not eat wood but instead tunnel through it, leaving behind small piles of sawdust (frass). You may find this debris near wooden furniture, walls, or floorboards.
• Damaged Structural Components: Ants can weaken wood over time, especially if nested inside beams, window frames, or support structures. Carpenter ants are notorious for burrowing into wood to create their nests.  Look for small holes or splitting wood, which may point to hidden ant activity. Tap on wooden surfaces—if they sound hollow or produce a faint rustling noise, it could indicate an infestation.
• Visible Ant Trails Indoors: If ants frequently march across your floors or walls, it could signal they have established a colony inside your home. Pay close attention to where they’re coming from and locate potential entry points.
• Winged Ants or Swarmers: Winged ants inside your home could mean an established colony nearby is preparing to expand. This is especially critical with carpenter ants, whose colonies can grow large if unchecked.

If you notice any of these signs, take immediate steps to mitigate the problem using the preventative and natural methods mentioned earlier. For extensive damage or large colonies, it might be necessary to consult a pest control professional to safeguard your home.

Should You Remove Dead Ants?

Leaving dead ants behind can attract more ants. Ants are social creatures that communicate using pheromones. When an ant dies, it releases specific pheromones signaling danger or the location of the body. These pheromones can attract other ants to investigate or clean up the remains. Cleaning up dead ants and the area around them prevents additional ants from being drawn to the spot. Use a damp cloth or vacuum to collect the ants, and thoroughly clean the area with soapy water or a natural cleaner to eliminate residual pheromones.