Hello Carol,

For control of ants in the home lawn and garden - I am sending some information from other universities. Hope the below articles will be helpful!!

Bottom line - Please get a licensed, professional pest control firm - There are literally hundreds of insecticide formulations labeled for ant control. Some are labeled for general use (homeowners) while others are restricted use (licensed pesticide applicators only). In many cases, once an ant infestation has been found, control measures are best accomplished by a licensed, professional pest control firm. Homeowners often do not have the experience, availability of certain insecticides, and equipment needed to perform the job effectively on certain ant species. 

ARTICLES START HERE:

Control of ants outdoors: It is often challenging to recognize ants from a picture. Because different species may be treated differently, be sure an ant problem is correctly identified before attempting control.

Many ants enter homes from outside nests as they look for food. To find their nest, follow the ants. You can encourage foraging by setting out attractive food. Ants usually take regular routes to and from their nest by making a chemical (pheromone) trail. The nest may be found by watching where the ants go. For some ants, such as carpenter ants, this works best at night, just after sunset. When the nest is found, it can be treated. In some cases, ants may need to be observed for 30 minutes or longer to locate a nest. Diligent observations can pay off as locating and treating the nest directly is often the most effective way of controlling ants. Ants can also be a nuisance in lawns because of the mounds they produce, especially if they are abundant. Tolerate ant nests in lawns when possible.

Using insecticides

Outdoor nests can be very difficult to get rid of without applying an insecticide. Be sure to select a product that has directions for treating lawns.

• Granules and dust is most effective, these products contain active ingredients such as permethrin or deltamethrin.
• Liquid insecticides can work if they are soaked into the nest. You may need 1/2 gallon or more of mixed material to treat large nests. Common examples of active ingredients include bifenthrin, cypermethrin, gamma cyhalothrin, and lambda cyhalothrin.
• Retreatment of nest sites may be necessary if above-ground activity resumes after the initial application.
• If the nest cannot be found, in some cases, ants can be kept out of the house by applying an insecticide barrier around the exterior of the building.

If ants are entering only through one area of the house, you can spot-treat that area. If it is not clear where the ants are entering, then treat a 2- to 4-foot wide area around the entire building. This control method is temporary and is not a long-term solution.

Insecticides used for treating the exterior of a building may be liquid or granules. Common examples of available insecticides have active ingredients such as:

• bifenthrin
• cypermethrin
• deltamethrin
• gamma cyhalothrin

These methods are NOT effective to get rid of ants:

• Flooding nests with water
• Pouring gasoline in a nest (it is dangerous and causes environmental pollution)
• Using spearmint gum, red pepper, orange peels, cinnamon, or other herbs
• Lavender and other essential oils

Drenching a nest many times with an insecticidal soap solution is sometimes effective in forcing an ant colony to relocate.

CAUTION: Mention of a pesticide or use of a pesticide label is for educational purposes only. Always follow the pesticide label directions attached to the pesticide container you are using. Remember, the label is the law. From this article: Ants - University of Minnesota at this link: https://extension.umn.edu/insects-infest-homes/ants#controlling-ants-outdoors-41811

In the Yard and Garden (Outdoors): Many of the house-invading ant species live in the flower beds and turf surrounding houses. When these colonies are visible, sprays or dust, applied directly in the ant mounds and around the area a few feet, can eliminate the problem. There are granular baits that are more effective for the elimination of these colonies. Do not completely cover the nesting site with the bait! Sprinkle the amount recommended on the label on and around the nesting site so that the worker ants will pick up the bait and take it into the nest. Too much disturbance of the nesting site may cause the ants to move the nest to a nearby area!

Labeled insecticides: There are literally hundreds of insecticide formulations labeled for ant control. Some are labeled for general use (homeowners) while others are restricted use (licensed pesticide applicators only). In many cases, once an ant infestation has been found, control measures are best accomplished by a licensed, professional pest control firm. Homeowners often do not have the experience, availability of certain insecticides, and equipment needed to perform the job effectively on certain ant species. From the article: Ants In and Around the Home - Ohio State University - David Shetlar, Barbara Bloetscher, and Jennifer Andon, Department of Entomology - At this link: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-2064

Other links with beneficial information:

Ants in Home Lawns - Penn State University at this link: https://extension.psu.edu/ants-in-home-lawns

Ant Control in Lawns - Iowa State University - by Donald Lewis, Department of Entomology at this link: https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/1992/8-12-1992/ant.html

Ants in Lawns - University of Massachusetts at this link: https://ag.umass.edu/turf/fact-sheets/ants-in-lawns

Hope this helps