can anyone help?
whats the best thing (if anything ) to get rid of ants in the garden?
we moved about 2 months ago everything was great ie big garden for the pooches
then as soon as the summer is on us we are infested by ants
they are everywhere
help

Ant gel from any good garden centre or diy store,but be VERY CAREFUL around any pets.The ants go through the gel and take it back to the nest which then kills off the little blighters! the powders have never worked for us.Also a boiling kettle of hotwater does wonders on a nest,but that may seem cruel to some people?
HTH

Nope not cruel to me, they are just everywhere they get on the bottom of your shoes, then they get in your house, bite ya kids, the little *hits, anyway i use the ant aresol spray, its good indoors, like all the nuts and crannies that they get into, i was digging my garden today and found zillions, i think it was a nest, so quicker than boiling some water i zapped them, i got most, but they were some strong ones that got away, now do i sound really cruel?
Jo

haha you sounded like you were on a mission . mm i supose crewl in one way but as you said they get in you house and nip the kids so fair doo's :P :P

Put lots of yeast down, they eat it then explode! :)

Poor ants!  Most things will not have a long term effect because madam queen ant is sitting comfortably in her nest.  As already mentioned insecticides that are taken back to the nest (if indeed they are) would probably have a longer term effect?  At the risk of sounding a complete geek why not research and watch them (great for kids) and marvel in the world of the most interesting and organised social insect :D :D :D
Sarah
PS Unless they are orange one's - in which case get the kettle!

Thanks Tohme, is that the fresh sort (I make bread and not always easy to obtain) or will dry do? The Cook at work has a problem with Ants and can't use pesticides for obvious reasons. She will be very pleased to learn this bit of info (although I better warn of the exploding bit..could be nasty) :-D

try putting down mint essence, ants don't like it. :-p

We found a red ant nest in the garden the other day, so out came the kettle!

Will this get rid of them permanently or only destroy the nest until they build another? 

If we need to take more permanent action, what would be the best dog-friendly thing to use - Millie will obviously try to eat anything we put down and I don't want to have to prevent her going in the garden - so would continued use of kettle if reoccurence occurs (lol) be the best thing?

If you have a line of ants coming in and can't work out where from give them a present - a smooth jar with something sweet in it such as sugared water - they climb in and most drown.  This is dog friendly as well.

I also use gel, powder, stamping on them and anything else to get rid of the little varmints.  I am waging war on ants, slugs and when they really start to appear - wasps in the house.

Yeast for the ants and salt for the slugs!  A nice variety of exploding bugs - beware of flying debris!! :-)

Bran for the slugs!

All we need now is some flour and a little water can have ant and slug loaf!!  :-P

Christine does the bran makes the slugs go quicker? ;-)

That's a variety of loaf I would rather not put into my breadmaker!

Someone mentioned yesterday that you can buy stag beetles at some garden centres and they eat slugs - talking of beetles the May Bugs have arrived

I do not fancy putting slugs in my breadmaker - if anyone thinks this would make a good receipe please do not invite me to tea <shudder> :D

Good luck on getting rid of these horrible little things. I just came back from Spain where an ant bit me on the hand. It was bloody sore and it broke the skin!! Horrible things.

kat