Pool chemistry is on point with thanks to all of you here at TFP. However, I’m having issues with ants around my pool. The backyard backs up to a pond. We live in an environment that fosters ants as well. Looking to use something safe in the grassy area around the pool. Wanting to avoid pesticides. Thought about DE. I know DE does a decent job at killing crawling insects. Any thoughts on using it intermittently in the grass around my pool? Figured it would be a great idea given kids and dog. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Ants
- Thread starter lsurefugee
- Start date
KenKasza
Gold Supporter
- Jun 19, 2023
- 97
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
If you want to stay away from pesticides:
DE is good. Will kill those that crawl through it but will not kill the nest.
Red or black pepper works too.
Google search will provide other methods.
Unfortunately, bait (poison) works the best. I use this: Amdro
Lightly sprinkle around the yard. Heavy sprinkle on any mounds. Works fast. Mounds dead within 24 hours.
I have 1.5 acre yard. I no longer have a fire ant issue. Occasional mound but quickly eliminated.
DE is good. Will kill those that crawl through it but will not kill the nest.
Red or black pepper works too.
Google search will provide other methods.
Unfortunately, bait (poison) works the best. I use this: Amdro
Lightly sprinkle around the yard. Heavy sprinkle on any mounds. Works fast. Mounds dead within 24 hours.
I have 1.5 acre yard. I no longer have a fire ant issue. Occasional mound but quickly eliminated.
- Nov 23, 2014
- 213
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Agreed that DE works as @KenKasza noted, one problem is that it washes away somewhat quickly and of course does not bait to kill the nest. Indeed Amdro and other baiting poisons probably work the best. I use a couple other things that seem to work, especially this year as ants seem to be on a new 2024 march in my neighborhood. I spray neem oil on certain vulnerable trees (eg Hong Kong orchids, sometimes pines), also on bushes and the perimeter of the house and pool areas. It comes in many forms, usually different types of concentrate that is inexpensive when you dilute with water and a bit of dish soap to help blend it all. Neem seems to kill ants (but again not baiting to kill the nest) and aphids among other things (said to kill also desirable bugs), the ants feeding on the sap created by the aphids in some weird symbiotic relationship, as detailed in many web articles. Neem also said to be "natural" and I read that some folks actually ingest it to cure some ailments, EEKS, and it also is alleged to inhibit some plant fungi. I mix with 5 gallons of water in a bucket and use a 12 volt pump with sprayer, perhaps once every month or two or if I see an attack on a tree. Garden sprayer works too, of course. For longer term ant prevention I place Terro bait traps (eg Terro) every 10 feet around the home/pool perimeter and I refill them quarterly or so. Refilling by mixing at 1% or 2% from a gallon concentrate makes it inexpensive when you buy a gallon of concentrate, eg from solutionsstores HERE. The traps seem to work until some ambitious ants turn the trap itself into a nest - good grief ants get creative sometimes. Last week while walking the doggies way out in the yard, I got 10 fire ant bites on my foot before I realized I was standing on a new mound. Wow those are some nasty critters, I'm still still healing, and for that the amdro or similar comes out and I flag the location 
. Time to perhaps start a new thread on the tiny flying ants that seem to push through my screen cage when it rains, then gathering for ant meetings in the pool.. Screen guy says I could go with finer mesh, something to consider after the next storm wipes out some screens, but finer mesh also alters the look. Good luck!
. Time to perhaps start a new thread on the tiny flying ants that seem to push through my screen cage when it rains, then gathering for ant meetings in the pool.. Screen guy says I could go with finer mesh, something to consider after the next storm wipes out some screens, but finer mesh also alters the look. Good luck!