Using Precision Drench Technique
There are a number of natural insecticides that will kill ants on contact. The problem in the past has been finding a technique to get the insecticide spread thoroughly throughout the ant colony. The drench method involves making several gallons of in insecticide and pouring it on to the colony. Sometimes, homeowners would dig up a colony and then use more drench liquid. If you do wish to stir up a mound with a shovel or hoe, cover the handle first with talcum powder, so the ants can’t crawl up the handle and bite you. On larger mounds, up to two gallons of diluted insecticide may be needed. Mound drenches generally do not kill ants immediately and may require several days to be effective.
The Precision Drench Technique makes use of a compression sprayer with a long metal needle that allows for the spreading of the insecticide more efficiently and easily. By moving the needle up and down in the mound as the insecticide is being released, you effectively cover a majority of the mound area; or at least enough to kill sufficient ants to cause the queen to move the colony.
There are a number of natural insecticides that will effectively kill ants on contact. They lend themselves nicely to the precision drench technique. They are Boric Acid Insecticide, Pyrethrum and Pyrethrin Insecticides and Neem Oil Soap. Either one is effective in controlling ants. These natural insecticides immediately kill ants in the mound. However, foraging workers (sometimes up to 20% of the population) outside the mound are not affected.
Control Ants With Boric Acid
Make a drench solution by mixing 3 cups of water with 1 cup of sugar and 4 teaspoons boric acid or borax. Pour this mixture into the entrance of the ant colony. The ants will be attracted to the sugar and take the solution back into the colony to feed the queen. The boric acid does not kill immediately, so the ants can pass it around before it starts to work.
If this technique does not work the first time, add another 1/2 cup of sugar and 1 more teaspoon of boric acid to the recipe and try again. While boric acid is poisonous to ants, it is not poisonous for humans to handle. However, keep it away from children and pets so they don't accidentally ingest some.
