Once the ants are gone, seal up their entry points. Caulk cracks in your foundation, repair torn window screens, and keep a 12-inch gap between your mulch and your house.
Think of it like a moat. Ants hate moats. They’re very dramatic about logistics.
Check your yard once a month. A small mound today is a city-state tomorrow. Catch it early, and you can just sprinkle some baking soda and walk away.
When to just give up and call a pro
If you’ve tried everything and ants are still throwing parties in your vegetable bed, call an exterminator. They have industrial-grade formulas that make borax look like powdered sugar.
It costs money, sure. But consider the alternative: you, outside, screaming at a teaspoon of boiling water. We’ve all been there. It’s not a good look.
You tried. You fought. Now let the pros handle the eviction notice. Go have a coffee. The ants will be gone by the time you get back. I promise—they’re very professional.