Repelling Ants & Landscaping

Trees and Bushes

• Don't plant any vegetation where it may come in contact with your house, especially evergreens. Ants often use them as bridges from their nests to your home. Trim any trees and shrubs currently touching the house. Also trim branches that touch wires or pipes that lead to the house. Do not trim oak trees between April 15 and Sept. 15, however, because it makes the trees susceptible to oak wilt.

Wood

• Minimize any wood-to-soil contact around your home because carpenter ants are attracted to decaying wood. Get rid of any decorative driftwood or stumps. Use vinyl or concrete materials for borders instead of wood ones. They don't break down as quickly. Do not bury old wood or stumps on your property. Burn them or remove them from your yard. Store firewood off the ground and away from the side of the house.

Mulch

• Ants often nest in mulch, especially pine straw and pine bark. Reduce mulch so it is only 2 to 3 inches thick when placed around buildings. Pull mulch at least 12 inches away from the side of your home's foundation. Whenever possible, use aromatic cedar mulch. It won't keep ants from coming inside your home, but many ants do not like to build their nests in it.

Water

• Ants will often travel farther for water than they will for food. Any areas where water gathers will attract ants (and mosquitoes). Fix any leaking water spigots. Clean gutters regularly and use downspouts designed so water drains away quickly with a concrete or plastic splash block. Aim sprinklers away from your home to keep water away from the building. Check around your air conditioning unit as ants often collect water dripping from air condition drain lines, according to North Carolina Cooperative Extension entomologist Michael Waldvogel.