Red & Black Outdoor Ant Problems Home Remedy

Locate Nests

• Carpenter ant populations may reach into the thousands. Often, extensive networks are built to support the main colony. Locating all parts of the colony is important for obtaining control. The best time to make a search is in the late afternoon or evening when carpenter ants tend to be most active. Piles of sawdust-like waste is one indication that a colony resides nearby. Pay attention to wooded areas, especially those that attract moisture, as possible ant nests. Carpenter ants often create looser, less uniform trails than other ants. Be thorough in your approach; the average garden may house up to 20 satellite colonies.

Bait

• As with most ants, controlling the carpenter ant is best done with bait. Carpenter ants generally prefer a sweet bait. A simple homemade recipe involves dissolving 2 teaspoons of boric acid in 1/4 cup of hot water and adding 1 cup of corn syrup. Place the bait inside bottle caps or similar low containers. Keep it moist by adding a small amount of water each day. It is best to begin using the bait by first attracting the ants to a nontoxic food source such as a sugar-milk solution. After ants have established this food source, replace benign bait with the boric acid formula. This type of bait is slow acting, which allows the scout ant adequate time to bring the bait back to the queen and the rest of the colony. Refrain from spraying or killing visible ants; they are your ally when baiting the entire nest. Bait will need to be monitored for use and replaced as necessary. A noticeable change may take up to 6 weeks. Be careful with placement and keep baits out of the way of children and pets.

Desiccant Dust

• Applying a desiccant dust directly into all visible nests will speed the elimination process. Diatomaceous earth is low in toxicity and effective provided it remains dry. Desiccants kill ants by breaking down the insects' moisture-retaining body layer. Ants eventually dry out, or desiccate. Wear a mask when using desiccant dust, as inhalation can result in lung irritation.

Remove Nesting Sites

• To prevent future infestation, it is necessary to remove nesting sites as much as possible. This includes removing wood stumps, eliminating moist conditions and replacing decayed wood. Trim trees and branches to limit access to wood. Keep wood piles above ground or inaccessible. Address drainage problems and leaks. Locate sources of high moisture and increase air circulation. Keep mulch to a minimum where nests may take up residence. Remember that complete eradication is unlikely. Rather, strive to control the problem.