Ants are harmless garden dwellers that even perform useful tasks. They are less appreciated in the sandbox because they spray a corrosive liquid that is very unpleasant, especially for small children. What can you do if ants have spread in the sandbox?

Ants are not allowed in the sandbox

Effectively combat ants in the sandbox

There are countless tips for fighting ants in the sandbox. Most of these are ineffective or only keep the crawlies away for a short time. Avoiding the use of chemicals is a matter of course. After all, the little ones should be able to play there later without being burdened.

Possible options are:

  • drive away ants
  • use home remedies
  • Set up bait traps
  • Relocate ant nest

Individual ants in the sandbox cannot be prevented under any circumstances. Unfortunately, these are often so-called scouts who are looking for new locations for their nests.

Ant baits contain attractants that are poisonous to the ants. If they are picked up by the animals and carried into the nest, all the other residents are poisoned and die. This measure is not dangerous for children.

Home remedies are mostly ineffective

The list of home remedies is long. It ranges from baking powder to vinegar essence to boiling water. Most home remedies are ineffective or distressing to the animals. That goes for baking soda and pouring boiling water over the nest.

One approach can be to make the ants uncomfortable enough to move of their own accord. For example, you can pour cold water over the nest for several days. Ants don't like too much moisture.

Relocate ant nest

The best and at the same time most gentle measure for humans and animals is to move the nest. It lasts a few days, but nobody gets hurt.

Find a larger flowerpot, fill it with wood shavings and put it over the nest in the sandbox. After a few days, the ants nest in the wood wool because the conditions here are more comfortable for them than the sand.

Once most of the ants are in the wood shavings, use a spade to lift the pot out of the sand and move it to a distant spot. There you simply pour out the nest.

interrupt walkways

Prevention is a good idea to prevent ants from settling in the sandpit beforehand. Draw thicker chalk lines around the box. Chalk contains lime, which ants don't appreciate. The line must be renewed every few days.

In an emergency: replace the sand completely

If the infestation is severe, you may need to completely replace the sand in the sandpit.

tips

If you build a sandbox yourself, you should insert a water-permeable weed fleece (€21.70) before filling in the sand. It not only protects against weeds, but also keeps ants from settling in the sandbox.

Category:

Garden design