How can I get rid of red ants in my backyard?

Question

I don't see a red ant hill or anything but I notice red aunts all over the place in our backyard, made up of grass and cement. What should I do to get rid of the ants? should I just spray bug spray all over? I want it to be safe for my newly walking baby.

Answer 1

The safest method is to draw a border around the yard using Chinese chalk. It is a natural repellent that ants will not cross. It's an amazing product!

Answer 2

I would get one of the granular ant killers that last all season.I use it every year to control fire ants.I spread mine over the yard right before a good rain is expected.You could however use a sprinkler to water it in well.Very little residual will remain on the surface, however check the label of the product you buy.

Answer 3

buy raid or bug spary and ask them if it safe for a baby.  Or you can flood your backyard with water.

Answer 4

Well I'm pretty sure spraying bug spray all over your back yard isn't going to make it safer for your wonderful bundle of joy... think of the pesticides seeping into her little bare feet! (Not to mention the toxins seeping into ground water.)

I had the same problem a while ago and I just put some socks and shoes on my little one and watched her carefully. I can safely say I'm more concerned about the mosquito that seem to want to feast on her every time she nears a patch of green!

If you're going to use pesticides, make sure it's safe.

Ants are one of the most frustrating pests for gardeners. Ants make nests in your turf that can disturb mowing, and once the nests are established, the ants can invade your home and garden. Additionally, many ants have a very painful sting, and can be a threat to small children. The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is one of the most common and destructive ants in the garden.

For dealing with fire ants, there are a number of effective organic products available. Orange Guard Fire Ant Control can be used alone or part of the Texas Two Step Method for Fire Ant Control. Orange Guard Fire Ant Control is diluted to 3 parts water and 1 part Orange Guard and can be applied directly to the ant mounds. In a recent study by Granosky and Associates in College Station, TX, Orange Guard Fire Ant Control was found to be 95% effective in killing the fire ants at their source.

Orange Guard is basically the same product as the Fire Ant Control, but is used more as a broad range insecticide and repellent. Orange Guard also kills and repels other species of ants, roaches, fleas, and silverfish, in addition to other common insect pests. As with Orange Guard Fire Ant Control, this product is safe to use on food crops, and is not harmful to your pets or your family. You can even use Orange Guard inside your house and in your kitchen without worry.

The FDA has approved the inert ingredients of Orange Guard as Generally Recognized as Safe (G.R.A.S.), which is an approval rating used for food grade products. Orange Guard can also help eliminate fleas from your carpeting when you pre-soak your carpet before steam cleaning. Orange Guard is suitable as part of the Texas Two Step Method for Fire Ant Control.

Natural Fire Ant Killer is a dry granular bait you apply with a shaker directly to ant mounds. You can also spread it around your garden, around the perimeter of your home, or directly in your lawn. It does not require watering to active. It is also one of the steps in the Texas Two Step Method for Fire Ant Control mentioned before.

Fire ants are naturally attracted to the bait and they end up carrying it back to their nest. The bait is intended to eventually kill the queen or leave her infertile. As with other Green Light Products, this natural ant killer is a combination of natural oils that have been approved as food additives and is safe to use around children and pets or with food crops. In addition to fire ants, the bait works great for controlling caterpillars, grasshoppers, ticks, fleas, and centipedes, among other common garden pests.

Answer 5

bug spray