How to get rid of fire ants in the garden naturally 

When you have a backyard garden, one of the main things to look out for is that ants, particularly fire ants do not colonise your garden. Having ants in your garden has some benefits but too many of them can cause problems. For instance, fire ants can dig tunnels that aerate the soil. This helps your plants to get nutrients and water. At the same time, fire ants can feed on the tiny seedlings in your vegetable garden. Fire ant bites are very painful and can harm people who have sensitive skin. They can also expand their colonies which can be quite a nuisance. One of the main problems that fire ants cause is that they form a symbiotic relationship with aphids and mealybugs. Ants protect aphids and mealy bugs in exchange for sap extracted by these pests from your plants. Aphids and mealybugs suck the life out of your plants with the help of ants. These are a few reasons why you should prevent fire ants from expanding their colonies in your garden.

Ways to get rid of fire ants naturally:

1.Borax

Borax or Sodium Borate is a powdery white substance that is mostly used in cleaning products. Borax kills ants by destroying their digestive system. Mix borax with water and sugar to form a paste. Take small pieces of cotton and gently dip them in the paste. Keep these cotton balls in ant-infested areas. Fire ants will die after ingesting this.

2. White Vinegar

Mix white vinegar with equal proportions of water and fill it in a spraying bottle. Spray this solution in ant pathways. This is a sure way to repel fire ants.

3. Turmeric

Sprinkling turmeric powder around ant hills and ant pathways repels fire ants. Fire ants hate the bitter taste of turmeric. You can also bury turmeric rhizomes in your garden to prevent ants from building colonies.This is another way to get rid of fire ants naturally.

4. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is the most effective ant repellant. The scent of cinnamon is toxic for ants. Inhaling cinnamon can kill them. Sprinkling cinnamon powder in ant hills and ant pathways can get rid of them.

5. Peppermint

Fire ants hate the smell of mint. Planting mint in your garden is one way to discourage them from building colonies in your garden.