What Should You Do If You Find Ants in Your Lawn?

Ants in the lawn may be a nuisance, but they usually don’t cause any direct damage. They become a problem when they build mounds, undermine the turf, or multiply rapidly. The following measures are an effective way to control them—as gently and effectively as possible.

Preventive and Gentle Measures

Frequent mowing
Mowing regularly disturbs the ants and makes the lawn less attractive to them.

Regular Watering
Ants prefer dry soil. Frequent and thorough watering can cause them to leave the area.

Relocating Ants (in an Environmentally Friendly Way)

Before resorting to chemical or harsh agents, it's worth trying to relocate them:

• Fill a flowerpot (ideally made of clay) with wood shavings or newspaper

• Turn the pot upside down and place it over the anthill

• After a while, the ants move into the pot

• Carefully remove the pot, along with the ants, and place it back down in a different spot.

Depending on the size of the nest, it may be necessary to repeat the process.

Control Measures

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) with sugar
A mixture of baking soda and sugar can be sprinkled over the nest. The ants will eat the mixture and die from it.
→ Effective, but not environmentally friendly.

Ant Venom
Ant control products available at home improvement stores can be applied directly to the nest. Be sure to follow the instructions for use.

Note

Although ants are not protected by law, they play an important role in the ecosystem. Therefore, it is advisable to first try preventive and gentle methods before resorting to drastic measures.