How can we get rid of ants nests in our garden?

We have at least 8 ants nests in our garden (or it could be one GIANT nest under the paving slabs?). These include regular black ants, army ants and red ants! We have tried boiling water, digging them up and ant powder but we have very young children and are not to happy with them playing in the garden with powders and such about? Is there anything we can do that isn't dangerous with young children about?

How can we get rid of ants nests in our garden?
Nippon.



Nice, sticky sweet goo they love so much that they take it bcak to the nest and over time the die.



It may take weeks to do it but it is far cheaper than wasting bleach on them as that is not at all an effective move, what is killing them is the boiling water, bleach does nothing for you other than in your mind, your "Clensing" the area...



Get a specialist in if the infestation is big as they may need digging out and spraying, this is often the last measure as it is more expensive than trying to do it yourself.
Reply:this is a good idea, get some old unwanted junk, put it over the ants nest, and set it on fire in a controlled maner
Reply:An old traditional method that is totally safe with children about is to place an almost empty Syrup or Treacle tin close to each nest. Ants will invade the tin and many will remain. Then replace the lid on the tins and dispose of them in your refuse. Use any tins if you have to, putting a little syrup in each. Will take a while and some perseverance and will not totally eradicate the problem, but will help to reduce the pests and is totally safe.
Reply:Get an exterminator.
Reply:You may not like this answer but it works. Keep pouring boiling water down them. Open them up first. Sorry to any animal lovers out there. They won't get used to it, the ones that don't die will leave.
Reply:IF YOU HAVE A WAL-MART GO AND GET SOME LAWN POISON AND SPRINKLE IT OUT THERE WET IT AND LET IT DRY BEFORE THE KIDS GO OUT. LAWN POISON KILLS MANY INSECTS AND WILL NOT HURT THE GARDEN
Reply:All these above answers have merit. Ants are a pain!
Reply:Mix equal amounts of confectioners sugar and baking soda.

Put a good amount around each area. The ants will take the mixture back to the Queen and this will kill the Queen....Poof... no more ants.

I just did this on a ant hill on my front yard and the ant hill is gone. We use this remedy at our camp also. Works like magic !!
Reply:I use Nippon Powder, try to use it when it is sunny and not liable to rain. You can get this from most hardware stores or maybe B%26amp;Q/Homebase etc. You will obiously need to keep the children away fom that area, but I find the ants are usually gone withina couple of days. If necessary do it just before you go away for a few days. Anything is better than the kidz getting bitten by ants, this can be very nasty.
Reply:spray them repeatedly with a fire extinguisher. They will get the message and move to the next yard or tree root system.. Drive them into your neighbours yard :)
Reply:pour loads of bleach in boiling water
Reply:Cream of Wheat or other soft, small grained food which expands will kill ants after eating it.



Dust food-grade diatomaceous earth along the ant’s pathways. The white powder will cut through their exoskeleton and they will dehydrate and die.



Vinegar poured on the ant pile is said to work.



Some people use citrus rinds ground up in a blender %26amp; made into a slurry, because commercial orange oil is recommended for red ants. You can also try using Citrus Magic, an air freshener made from concentrated citrus oils (oranges, lemons, grapefruits, etc) which clings to the insect and permeates any exoskeleton %26amp; membrane.



Or dig a hole into the nest with a shovel and pour in an insecticidal soap (a mixture of 1/3 cup rubbing alcohol, 1 tsp dish soap and water in a 32 oz spray bottle) into the nest and put back the soil. You may have to do this a few times to really get rid of the ants.



Aspartame (Nutrasweet ) seems to kill ants by interfering with their nervous system. It kills fire ants %26amp; Carpenter ants but someone who tested it found that it was not consistent in killing all black ants. http://www.proliberty.com/observer/20060...



For longer term control, plant mint around the foundation %26amp; areas you don't want ants in (if you don't need it for a garden) %26amp; landscape with Cedar mulch. It would be effective %26amp; decorative too.



Good luck! Hope this helps.
Reply:well since you have ruled out the chemical call the county agent and see what he has....or you could rent a ant eater from the zoo. Ortho has a powder that will get rid of the ants however you would deffanly have to keep your kids out of the garden for a week or so.