HELP! My brick patio has an ant problem!?

Question

My brick patio has an ant problem. I've pulled all the weeds that pop up between the bricks, I've tried vinegar, I've tried this powder insecticide that just left the patio a mess (and more importantly, didn't work!) I don't even want to sit out there 'cause I'm freaked out ants will crawl up the patio furniture. Can somebody recommend something to use on them that will get rid of them? I don't have them in the house (yet), but I'm thinking that as close as they are to the house, it's only a matter of time!

These are some excellent answers and I thank you so much for them. Being a new homeowner is overwhelming sometimes! I guess I just expected that the stuff that I bought would work right away! I will try to be patient! Thank you so much!!!!

Answer 1

creepy isnt it?

I had the same problem. the ants (both the little ones that make mounds and the big black carpenter ants) love to make a home under the sand or dirt used to lay your patio down.

first, get a perimeter spray. go around your house foundation and give a quick spray. then get the crystals lat you lay down in 3 ft wide area around your house (diazanon?). Finally, get your lawn treated (you can do yourself with a drop spreader (20 bucks) and a bag of insect killer.

read the directions and dont over do it.

if you are a little more anti-chemical then try boric acid (borax?) in lieu of the chemicals. I dont know whether or not it is ok for lawns. Or, a pot of boiling water on the mound (if you can find it) will take care of most types of ants.

Answer 2

Yes, you could do this. There is even a method of making the patio with this kind of a mixture and then soaking the bed from the side to add enough water to harden the mixture only. It is supposed to be better because the mixture is not over saturated. However, the mixture will tend to be more porous as is any "dry" mixture and therefore ants, weeds, heaving from frost are all still a problem. Erosion might be better. One advantage of a bed of sand only is that the sand does better over the long term under freezing conditions than any application using cement which looks better initially if done right. If you are planning on a raised patio then either you have to use sanded brick plus a border or concrete base + cement (mortar dry mix) on the bricks. If your patio is to be even or sunken then erosion is far less likely as the surrounding ground will hold in the edges. A problem with weeds can be controlled by putting down matting before the sand or by applying weed killer after they show up. The ideal sanded brick is a more natural look with possibly moss (but not grass) growing between the bricks. It should only have a slight pitch. It can last 100s of years. The ideal cemented brick is a stable surface that is not cracked and is perfectly clean and cleanable. It will work better if more pitch is required. Concrete works best under compression or with wire reinforcement. To help prevent cracking a wire reinforced concrete base is often used.

Answer 3

If you live in the south and the ants are fire ants I would suggest you go to Home Depot or W.Mart and buy some "Over and Out". It also takes at least a month before it works but the ants will be gone for a year. Check and see if it works on regular ants. Cost for small bag is $20.00 but it is the only thing we southerners have found that works and it is guaranteed. Save your upc and receipt.

Answer 4

I use the ant granulars that you shake all around the borders of your house and then wet them down with a light watering. They don't leave a mess like a powder and it works. I agree it will take a few days to work but you will see a difference soon. It is called Terro and comes in an orange bag at the hardware store. It is an ant and multi insect killer.

Answer 5

You can call a pest control company to come poison it and kill them. They may be back in months though. You can boil hot water and take them out that way too. Both options (all options) usually end with "your ant problem may come back in the future". Not too bad considering that there are options.

P.S. I heard a bag of Diatomaceous Earth works very well.

Answer 6

Most ant powders or baits take a few weeks to kill off the colony. Be patient. They take the poison back to their nest and share it. You should see a noticable drop off in their numbers soon.

Answer 7

When I have tried a number of things and they don't work, I use malathion. It stinks and can be dangerous to pets and people but really kills bugs.

Answer 8

boiling water