Ants aren’t all bad. They aerate the soil and eat other pests. But when they start building a metropolis under your petunias? That’s war.
The biggest mistake is grabbing a can of spray and blasting the first ant you see. That’s like trying to stop a river by slapping the water. You need to target the queen. She’s the one ordering everyone around.
Find the nest. Yes, you have to look for it.
Follow a worker ant home. It’s like playing detective, but with tiny legs. Look for a small mound of dirt or a cluster of holes. Sometimes they hide under rocks, mulch, or that adorable garden gnome you bought on a whim.
Got a trail marching up your sidewalk? They’ve probably set up a satellite office near your foundation. Check for cracks in the pavement or gaps in the siding. Ants are brilliant at finding weak spots.