Dealing with Mound-Building Ants in Your Yard

If you’ve spent any time outdoors in Summerfield and Oak Ridge North Carolina, you’ve probably encountered mound-building ants. These tiny bugs are relentless. They can be fascinating to watch, but when they take over your yard, they can quickly become a nuisance and sometimes dangerous. Whether they’re damaging your lawn or making it impossible to walk barefoot, it’s no surprise that many homeowners want to get rid of them in their backyard. So, what types of mound-building ants are common in the Triad of North Carolina, and how can you manage them?

Common Types of Mound-Building Ants

Two of the most common culprits are fire ants and pyramid ants. Fire ants are aggressive when disturbed and have painful and dangerous stings. Their mounds often pop up in sunny areas like lawns, gardens, and even sidewalks. Pyramid ants, on the other hand, are less aggressive and usually build smaller mounds in sandy soil. While they’re not as threatening as fire ants, they can still disrupt your yard's appearance.

Why Are They a Problem?

These ants are annoying and sometimes a dangerous presence in your backyard. They can ruin the look of your lawn, mound-building ants can damage plant roots and create tripping hazards. If left unchecked, these ants can spread quickly, making it harder to regain control.

How to Get Rid of Them

Reclaiming your yard can be challenging, but here are a few tips to help you manage these biting insects.

1. Identify the Ant Species - Before you start any treatment, try to figure out what type of ant you’re dealing with. Fire ants require more aggressive methods than less harmful species like pyramid ants.
2. Use Baits - Ant baits are one of the most effective ways to deal with mound-building ants. The workers carry the poison back to the colony, killing the queen and stopping reproduction.
3. Boiling Water - For a natural approach, pour boiling water directly into the mound. This method works best for smaller infestations but might need to be repeated.However, this can be tedious and time consuming.
4. Insecticides - For large infestations, granular or liquid insecticides designed for ants can help. Just make sure to follow the instructions carefully and keep pets and kids away from treated areas.
5. Prevent Future Infestations - Regular yard maintenance can go a long way in keeping ants at bay. Trim back vegetation, avoid leaving food scraps outdoors, and address any moisture issues in your lawn.

Mound-building ants may be a part of life in your yard, but they don’t have to take it over.If time consuming home remedies are not your thing, call the authority at Mosquito Squad. Our Squad Yard Defender™ Treatment can keep these tiny invaders under control as well as getting rid of other biting insects in your outdoor space again. Call Mosquito Squad today and receive $50 off your treatment package.