how can i kill ants

[tyles]

how can i kill ants in my garden and under my patio. they have built a nest in my lawn and under patio slabs. what is the best way of killing them. i have a five year old daughter and no pets.

[Wisebird]

My grandmother always used to pour boiling water into the ants nest area and I must admit I do this myself. However, I don't know whether this would harm the grass in a lawn and obviously if the nest is under patio slabs it would be difficult to hit the right spot. However, at least no chemicals would be involved.

[Kit]

I've sorted out the nest undermining our drive with 2 Raid bait boxes - they're little plastic domes, about 3" across, with holes for the ants to get in and out to carry the poison back to their nests. I've put one at the main entrance to the nest, and another halfway along one of their favourite runs. No problem with my 3 year old - she asked what they were, I told her, and she understands that it would make her poorly if she touched them. We haven't seen a single ant for a few weeks now - 3 months ago they were burrowing under the block paving at the rate of about a foot a day. We could tell by the new piles of sand appearing in the middle of the drive!

[robber1]

I have had many problems with ants in the past. Unless they are actually in your house, its best to leave them alone. They do no harm at all. If they forage for food and are coming in to your home to find it, get some barrier spray from the garden centre. "Ant Stop" is one make. A light spray across a window sill or patio door entrance will last for 3 months and keeps them out. (It dries quickly and is safe). If a colony is destroyed, other new Queens fly in and create a new colony. (An existing colony would kill any new Queens.) You could end up with 2 or 3 new unchallenged colonies by killing off the old one. Be warned.

[Philtaz]

Using ant powder in the usual manner should do the trick, it did for me.

[supermonkey]

there is an ant powder which you sprinkle on your path.the best thing is to put some food out then pour it on the trail when they appear.personally id leave em alone they're cute

[Dazzler]

I agree with robber1, unless they are causing a major nuisance to you, please leave them alone, otherwise the ready made poison traps seem to work ok.

[ilovetaz]

well insted of killin them y not put a smell that they dnt lik? i agree with supermonkey though, i would leave em, they r cute! u wouldent like it if u were killed would u?