How to control/remove ants in sandy soil? - Ask Extension
We have very sandy soil, and are located in a rural area. Our lawn is sparse, and there are ant colonies everywhere. They are constantly bringing up s...
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How to control/remove ants in sandy soil? #870524
Asked May 28, 2024, 9:43 PM EDT
We have very sandy soil, and are located in a rural area. Our lawn is sparse, and there are ant colonies everywhere. They are constantly bringing up sand from under brick patios and even along the cracks of our asphalt driveway. I have seen birds walking through the lawn that may be eating ants, so I don't want to use poison. What can be done to make the area comfortable for children to play outdoors?
Emmet County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello Carolyn
I have three bulletins for you that have management options. You will never eliminate all the outdoor ants around the home, and you would not want to because they are beneficial to soil and help control populations of other insects.
Please read through these options. (You may find some insecticides recommended are no longer on the market. )
As these articles point out, when choosing to use any chemical please follow all precautions and directions.
Get a soil test so you know what nutrients are present, which ones are needed, and how much organic matter is present. The MSU test kit is supported here on Ask Extension, and results include recommendations for fertilizer and other amendments: https://www.canr.msu.edu/uploads/236/21432/Soil_Test.pdf
Choose a full sun area to grow the turf play area. Grass grows best in 8 or more hours per day of sun.
Sandy soils can be improved by mulching the clippings, and mulching fallen leaves in fall.
Top dress once or twice a year with 1/4 to 1/2 inch of compost to improve soil. If soil seems compacted core aerate first.
Water turf lightly and frequently in sandy soils. Turf needs 1 to 1 1/2 inches water per week including rainfall. (Soil won’t hold Deep watering until you build up organic matter through mulching clippings and top dressing)
Fertilize 2 to 4 times per year, and according to a soil test.
Mow leaving the grass blades 3-4 inches tall.
Plan to over-seed in late August using a mix of Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescues and perennial rye.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/six_steps_to_fall_turfgrass_establishment
This lawn care website has many articles to guide you.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/what_to_do_with_the_bevy_of_broadleaf_weeds_flowering_in_lawns
Here is a tip sheet that summarizes turf care:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/go_green_lawncare_tip_sheet
I have three bulletins for you that have management options. You will never eliminate all the outdoor ants around the home, and you would not want to because they are beneficial to soil and help control populations of other insects.
Please read through these options. (You may find some insecticides recommended are no longer on the market. )
As these articles point out, when choosing to use any chemical please follow all precautions and directions.
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/formica-ants-in-turf
large ant mounds-
https://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=382
Cultivating a thick dense turf area for the children to use, that is mowed no shorter than 3 inches, would minimize ants in that section. Here are tips to grow a thick stand of turf, should you need that information:Get a soil test so you know what nutrients are present, which ones are needed, and how much organic matter is present. The MSU test kit is supported here on Ask Extension, and results include recommendations for fertilizer and other amendments: https://www.canr.msu.edu/uploads/236/21432/Soil_Test.pdf
Choose a full sun area to grow the turf play area. Grass grows best in 8 or more hours per day of sun.
Sandy soils can be improved by mulching the clippings, and mulching fallen leaves in fall.
Top dress once or twice a year with 1/4 to 1/2 inch of compost to improve soil. If soil seems compacted core aerate first.
Water turf lightly and frequently in sandy soils. Turf needs 1 to 1 1/2 inches water per week including rainfall. (Soil won’t hold Deep watering until you build up organic matter through mulching clippings and top dressing)
Fertilize 2 to 4 times per year, and according to a soil test.
Mow leaving the grass blades 3-4 inches tall.
Plan to over-seed in late August using a mix of Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescues and perennial rye.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/six_steps_to_fall_turfgrass_establishment
This lawn care website has many articles to guide you.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/what_to_do_with_the_bevy_of_broadleaf_weeds_flowering_in_lawns
Here is a tip sheet that summarizes turf care:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/go_green_lawncare_tip_sheet
