Ants come to the site seriously and for a long time, build an anthill on it and form a colony with a queen at the head. The trouble is that this large family turns out to be extremely gluttonous and generally causes nothing but inconvenience.
The fight against ants in a summer cottage often takes place with varying degrees of success and does not always end in the final victory of a person. In addition, many feel sorry for the little inhabitants of the site, since since childhood they have been considered “orderlies of the forest and surrounding areas.” However, the dacha is usually ruled by garden ants, which at the same time breed aphids - the most dangerous and hardy pest. So is it necessary to get rid of ants in the country?
Forest ants are beneficial and rarely settle in gardens
Ants in the country: benefit or harm
The appearance of anthills in the countryside is the first sign of a potential danger to the plantings. The reason for this is the colonies of aphids and mealybugs, which the ants breed for their own food. They not only contribute to the development of insect pests, but also protect them from potential enemies - ladybugs, predatory bugs, ichneumon ichneumon wasps and others.
Small anthill Source mtdata.ru
Interesting! Numerous colonies of aphids cover all the ant's efforts related to the destruction of small caterpillars and larvae of other garden pests.
The answer to the question of how to deal with ants in a dacha sooner or later confronts the owner of a garden plot. There are two ways to solve the problem:
- Destroy the anthill and its inhabitants.
- Relocate or force small neighbors to move to another location.
Why are ants dangerous in an apartment?
Any insects in the apartment are an irritant. Who would be pleased to watch small creatures scurrying around in a sugar bowl, in a bread bin, or crawling over fresh fruit in a vase?
Now imagine that before crawling over food, tables or kitchen cabinets, the ants visited the basement, stairwell, garbage pit and other places, from where they could
carry worm eggs and various infections on their paws. Besides:
- Insects spoil food;
- Some types of ants, for example, garden ants, which you might accidentally pick up in your things when returning from the dacha, can cause aphids to appear on indoor plants.
The conclusion is clear - you need to get rid of ants. Let's consider all possible methods and analyze their effectiveness.
Types of ants
- Red wood ant (Formica rufa)
Most often they live in the forest, but sometimes they also settle in summer cottages, on the boundary between vegetable gardens. The species is already listed in the Red Books of Moscow, Voronezh, Kostroma, Lipetsk, Novgorod and Chelyabinsk regions.
Benefit . These insects are the orderlies of the forest and garden. One anthill clears a quarter of a hectare of forest or garden from pests. In Europe, red forest ants are artificially dispersed.
Harm . Aphids are actively bred. Secondly, they spread the seeds of wild plants - these are weeds.
- Black garden ant (Lasius niger)
Benefit . Destroys pests. But not all, but only the smallest ones.
Harm . Aphids are bred. They eat strawberries.
- Garden pale-legged ant (Lasius alienus)
Benefit . They eat pests.
Harm . Aphids are bred. They eat strawberries.
- Red myrmica (Myrmica rubra)
Benefit . Omnivores, destroy garden and garden pests.
Harm . Aphids are bred. They bite painfully.
- Black carpenter ant (Camponotus vagus)
Benefit . They eat harmful insects. They do NOT breed aphids - that is, they are practically harmless to the garden.
Harm . They eat fruit, although not often. Therefore, the harm is minimal.
- Pharaoh ant (Monomorium pharaonis)
The most common. These are the insects that live in houses. They prefer dark, warm and humid places.
Benefit . Absent.
Harm . They eat food. They can be carriers of infections in the same products. They can crawl into the ear at night.
How to destroy an anthill
The most humane way to “destroy” an anthill in the garden:
- Dig it out along with the soil.
- Carefully place in the bag.
- Move them to another place where their colony will not harm anyone.
Other options do not have this attitude. You will have to stir up the nest, water (sprinkle) with something (purchased chemicals or prepared from improvised means). Some actions will lead to the death of insects, others to relocation, in any case, the goal will be achieved.
Folk remedies
The most popular and effective time-tested methods of fighting ants in the garden.
Water the anthill with water and kerosene Source felisov.ru
Stir up the anthill and pour boiling water over it. Repeat the procedure for several days. Instead of boiling water, you can use other alternative products that are easy to find in your country house: soap solution, dishwashing detergent, vegetable or essential oil, table (9%) vinegar, kerosene, ammonia. The listed compositions are mixed with water, which is poured into the anthill and places where insects accumulate. When entering the house, wipe the liquid on door and window openings, ventilation openings and other places through which they can get inside.
We force the ants to move Source fotokto.ru
Ants prefer to settle in sunny areas. By building a temporary shade over the nest, you will force them to move to another place.
Advice! If the anthill is built next to garden plants, move the insects to another place. To do this, place rags soaked in any of the listed liquids next to it.
Prevention
Traditional methods do not allow you to get rid of house ants on a permanent basis. The insects are likely to return when conditions become favorable again. Therefore, after eliminating the ants, preventive measures should be taken:
- carry out a complete cleaning of all premises;
- put food in cabinets or the refrigerator (it is better to avoid using bread bins);
- pack food in containers, plastic bags;
- The sugar bowl should always be kept closed;
- Do not leave leftover pet food out overnight.
It is imperative to seal all cracks and cracks through which insects could enter the house. It is necessary to get rid of rotten wood and peeling wallpaper. The ventilation grille should be treated with any repellent.
Boric acid
Boric acid is an old and proven method of fighting ants. It has a contact-intestinal effect on insects. It destroys it simply by getting on the insect’s cover, without penetrating the intestinal tract. Even the smallest proportion, mixed with a sweet filling (sugar, honey) and brought by the hunter to the nest as a trophy, will eventually lead to the complete extinction of the entire genus. Sold in pharmacies, sold in the form of crystalline powder or alcohol syrup. The bait is placed around the anthill, on the ant trail.
Boric acid is the enemy of the ant Source stopklopu.com
Below are several ways to prepare poisonous compounds:
| Name | Ingredients, proportions | Nuances, cooking process | Procedure |
| Yeast | Sugar – 25 g. Water – 40 ml. Yeast – 1 tbsp. Boric acid – 10 g. | First, the syrup is prepared, then yeast is added and the poison is poured in. | Add something sweet (vanillin, honey), pour it into a plastic plate and place it near the anthill. |
| Sugar | Sugar – 50 g. Water – 150 g. Boric acid – 1 sachet. | Sugar is mixed in water. | Sweet syrup is used to attract insects; acid crystals scatter around. |
| Egg-honey | Egg yolks – 3 pcs. Honey – 1 tbsp. l. Boric acid – 1/3 sachet | Mix boiled yolks with poison crystals, add honey. Mix and roll into balls no larger than a walnut. | The balls are laid out next to the anthill, on the path. |
| Potato | Potatoes – 3 pcs. Egg yolk – 3 pcs. Boric acid – 1 sachet | Crumble and mix the boiled yolks with the potatoes. Add acid. The composition should resemble mashed potatoes; to achieve the desired consistency, add water. Roll into hazelnut sized balls. | The balls are placed in places where insects accumulate. |
| Bread | Bread – 1 slice Honey – 1 tbsp. l. Boric acid – 5-6 drops of liquid 3% solution | Mix bread pulp with honey, add acid solution. Form small balls. | Place the balls near the anthill. |
| Glycerin-honey | Pharmacy glycerin – 3 tsp. Water – 1.5 tbsp. l. Honey – 2 tbsp. l. Sugar – 2 tbsp. l. Boric acid – ½ sachet | Mix the ingredients until smooth. You should get a plasticine-like mass from which you can roll into small balls. | Place the poison next to the ant nest. |
Important! Boric acid is a strong poison for both insects and humans. Prepare baits strictly with rubber gloves. Do not increase the dose, otherwise the foraging insect will die before it has time to bring the crystal to the anthill.
We force you to relocate
Knowing the sensitivity of ants to pungent odors, you can create “unbearable conditions” for them and force them to leave their “habitable” place. For this you may need the following plants:
- Mint.
- Mustard.
- Tansy.
- Anise.
- Parsley.
- Dill.
- Rhubarb.
Counteraction using fragrant herbs Source freepng.ru
How the listed varieties will be used does not matter. They can be planted in places where insects gather, or scattered dry or withered.
Wood ash, ground cinnamon, any type of pepper (seasoning), or anything else that emits a pungent odor are considered analogous flora representatives in the fight against ants.
Working day of an insect Source pestnews.ru
Important! Ants do not like strong odors. After treatment with the listed compounds, the insects leave the anthill and go to a new place.
The best option according to the editors: powder granules HECTOR
The new remedy in the form of powder for ants Hector is a combined preparation. The granules contain bait and a poisonous substance. Having discovered the remedy, the ants report the find to their relatives, and a chain reaction of destruction is formed. As a result, not a trace will remain of the anthill.
Peculiarities:
- should be used in dry weather;
- scatters abundantly in ant habitats (paths, along the perimeter of the greenhouse, along the beds, ideally - directly into the anthill over the entire area);
- just have to wait;
- after 1-2 days, the garden “enemies” will no longer bother you.
How much does it cost: 399 rubles for 300 g.
Chemicals
Let's consider a list of effective chemicals that effectively help in the fight against ants. Below is a brief description and characteristics of the substances; instructions for use for each of them are individual and printed on the packaging.
"Muravyin G"
Russian granules “Anteater G” Source udobreniya.info
Any garden store can offer several insecticides with the same name, produced in Russia and abroad. Here we are considering a domestic drug, the packaging of which is shown in the photo. When used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, it is safe for humans, bees and other vertebrate inhabitants of the country garden. Refers to substances of the lure, directional type. Sold in the form of granules intended for dissolution in water.
"Ant-eater"
Available in different types:
- Concentrated emulsion "Aardvark CE" in ampoules of 1 ml. or bottles of 10, 50 or 500 ml.
- "Anteater - Super, granules." Small granules, packaged in 50 g bags or 120 or 240 g jars.
- “Anteater – Super, bait” is packaged in plastic bags with ready-made bait.
- "Anteater - Super, gel." Sold in tubes, in the form of a gel.
“Anteater” from garden ants Source yaplakal.com
The insecticide has high enteric-contact activity and gives the first results in 2-3 days. Valid for 3 weeks. If you follow the instructions for use, it is not dangerous for representatives of the flora. The average consumption is no more than 1.5 ml per anthill.
What to do if you are bitten by an ant?
If there is a threat to the offspring, ants, protecting the eggs, can bite a person with their jaws. House ants don't bite. The bite of garden ants, measuring from 3 to 5 mm, feels similar to a mosquito bite. And red ones, 7-10 mm in size, bite very painfully. Ants usually bite your arms or legs. But the most active individuals can reach the shoulders, back and other parts of the body.
Consequences of a bite
The bite site immediately turns red and begins to itch. Swelling appears. It happens that a rash appears on the bitten area, and the person develops a fever. When bitten, these insects release formic acid, which, if it gets on the nasal mucosa, can cause inflammation, and if it gets on the eyes, you can get a retinal burn.
Ants themselves are not dangerous to humans, but they are carriers of various viral and infectious diseases. Allergy sufferers have a particularly difficult time dealing with ant bites. People suffering from allergies may experience a rash and itching all over the body, nausea and dizziness from a harmless ant bite. In particularly severe cases, blisters can take over the entire body and result in swelling.
Symptoms of complications depend on the individual's individual response and dependency. There are no poisonous ants in Russia and its neighboring countries, and tourists vacationing in exotic countries should beware of these unpredictable insects.
What to do if you are bitten?
Hydrogen peroxide
If you feel slight pain from a bite, you should immediately leave the area, take off your clothes and shake them well. You should not scratch this area with your nails, as this may aggravate the undesirable consequences. Immediately try to wash the area with cold water and soap. Wipe dry with a towel and treat with any antiseptic. This could be alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. If you have pharmaceutical ointments for insect bites or “Golden Star” on hand, then you need to lubricate the bite site with one of these products. Itching and redness will decrease.
For your safety, take half a Suprastin or Tavegil tablet. Mild symptoms usually go away within 2 days. With severe consequences, people suffering from allergies are better off seeking medical help to avoid negative consequences.
Lures and traps
The following methods help you win the fight against ants without using chemicals. Similarly to folk methods, they are classified as proven and bring quick results. Their goal is to create simple traps where insects get trapped and cannot escape. All you have to do is update them periodically as they are filled out. Baits involve the preparation of compounds that lead to the death of insects.
Shop catcher belts for garden trees Source potrebitel.ru
The most promising actions in the fight against ants in the country:
- Place a mayonnaise bucket with 2-3 teaspoons of sugar diluted in water in places where insects accumulate. The ants will crawl towards the sweets, but will drown in the water. It will not be possible to completely destroy the population, but it is possible to reduce the number.
- Place yeast diluted in water with added homemade jam or sugar next to the anthill. Particles of the bait will be carried inside the anthill, which will cause the formation of fungus and the destruction of working individuals. At the first stage, it may seem that there are more insects, but this is due to the fact that they will crawl onto the sweet bait.
- Another, no less effective method allows you to scatter dry balls of granules around or roll larger ones from fresh ones. There is no need to mix with water; the effectiveness is similar to the previously described method.
- Millet or semolina mixed with sugar for bait. Working ants eat enough, the cereal swells and kills them. Then the uterus and the eggs left without care die.
Varieties
There are several types of ants: forest, red (brown), red and black (garden). The last species is a real pest of its forest counterparts. They make an anthill out of a small hole in the soil, with a hill on top of it. Under your feet you can see the homes of individuals around trees and in the roots. The red species is also called pharaonic. When they appear on the site, almost all plants suffer. The difficulty lies in destruction, because insects quickly restore the number of their offspring and get used to the chemicals.
Pests parasitize the root system, causing the death of the plant. Even if the ants’ home appears in the garden, not in the roots, nothing will grow in these places.
How to deal with ants on fruit trees
The harm from aphids and mealybugs bred by ants is obvious. You can avoid their occurrence in two ways: equip a trap or barrier belt, spray the plant. Be sure to sprinkle the soil around the plants with ash mixed with table salt at the beginning of the season. By doing this, you will not only prevent ants from entering, but also replenish the soil around the tree with useful potassium.
Carry out periodic inspections throughout the season. If necessary, use one of the following measures:
- If you find aphids, the juice of which is so attractive to ants, treat the tree with compounds that destroy this insect.
- Make an ant-repellent headband. To do this you will need table salt, linseed oil and soot. After mixing the listed elements, rub the lower 30-40 cm of the trunk with the resulting composition.
- You can temporarily repel insects by rubbing the tree trunk with garlic or placing cloves of garlic at the base. It is possible to replace it with one of the previously listed components, the pungent smell of which repels ants (wormwood, mint, mustard, rhubarb, dill).
Protecting trees from ants with your own hands Source stopklopu.com
Headbands against ants Source felisov.ru
