Q: Ant hills keep appearing on my lawn, some with red ants, others with black ones. What can I do to eradicate them?


A: This is a frustrating problem, especially on certain well-drained lawns which seem irresistible to ants. With extensive infestations, the turf can be eroded away in places, and if the ant hills aren’t dealt with, they will grow bigger.
The first task is to sweep away those hills. Pick a dry day and distribute the earth briskly with a besom or stiff brush so that it does not smear. You will have to repeat this activity, but every time you unearth the white ‘eggs’ and disturb the ants, they are vulnerable to predators, particularly birds.
There are no chemicals available for general garden use, although there are ant killers designed for buildings which will give some control near walls or structures. There is also a biological control, based on the nematode Steinermia feltiae, available from companies such as Green Gardener, www.greengardener.co.uk