Even in the hot South, you can have a lush, green lawn that you’ll love to use.
Even in the hot South, you can have a lush, green lawn that you’ll love to use. Weeds, fire ants, heat, and drought are all annoying things that can keep you from enjoying your lawn, but they don’t have to be hard or take a lot of time to get rid of. You can deal with these issues directly with the new Scotts® Turf Builder® Southern Triple Action, a weed killer and fertilizer for Southern lawns that also kills and keeps fire ants away. If you use it, you’ll have more time to enjoy your lawn with your family, and you’ll save money because you’ll only have to buy one product to solve several issues.
Weeds, fire ants, and hot weather in the South can all be problems in your yard. But Scotts® Turf Builder® Southern Triple Action can help you deal with all three when used as directed on St. Augustinegrass (including Floratam), centipedegrass, zoysiagrass, and carpetgrass.
Two times a year, when the grass and weeds are actively growing, use Scotts® Turf Builder® Southern Triple Action. The first time is in the spring, when the grass has come back from winter dormancy, and the second time is in late summer to help the lawn recover from stresses like heat and encourage deep root growth. Its special 3-in-1 formula of weed killer, fire ant killer, and lawn fertilizer will kill weeds, stop new fire ant mounds from forming, and feed the lawn all at the same time. To use it, just follow the directions on the label and use a spreader, which you can get at any garden center or home improvement store.
As a homeowner, you likely want to keep your lawn and garden looking pristine. However, weeds and insects like ants can quickly take over and ruin the aesthetic. Using weed killers is an effective way to get rid of weeds, but what about ants? Will applying weed killer also help get rid of ants in your yard? Let’s take a closer look.
How Do Weed Killers Work?
Weed killers, also known as herbicides, work by interrupting critical biological processes that weeds need to survive. There are several different types of weed killer ingredients that work in various ways:
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Glyphosate – Inhibits an enzyme plants need to make amino acids. Without amino acids, the plant dies.
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2,4-D – Mimics plant growth hormones causing excessive growth that kills the plant.
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Diquat dibromide – Interferes with photosynthesis.
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Pelargonic acid – Damages plant tissues on contact.
As you can see these ingredients are specifically designed to affect processes in plants not insects. So in most cases, weed killers will not directly kill ants.
Common Weed Killers and Ants
Some of the most popular weed killer products include Roundup, Compare-N-Save, and Scotts Turf Builder Let’s look at how these affect ants
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Roundup – The main ingredient glyphosate targets plants only. Roundup does not contain any ingredients designed to kill insects.
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Compare-N-Save – Also contains glyphosate. The manufacturer confirms it does not affect insects, earthworms, or microorganisms in the soil.
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Scotts Turf Builder – Formulated with 2,4-D, dicamba, and sulfur. Also does not impact insects.
So the major weed killing brands you’ll find at home improvement stores are not insecticides and will not directly kill ants.
Exceptions That May Kill Ants
While typical weed killers won’t kill ants, there are a couple exceptions:
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Weed & Feed Products – Some weed and feed fertilizers contain insecticides as well as herbicides. Read labels carefully to see if bug killing ingredients are included.
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Non-Selective Herbicides – Products containing diquat dibromide or pelargonic acid kill all plants they touch. If sprayed directly on ant hills and nests, they may kill ants by destroying their habitat and food source.
It’s also worth noting that heavy use of any herbicide can impact ant behavior and health by contaminating their environment, even if ants are not killed directly.
Alternative Ways to Control Ants
Since weed killers alone likely won’t eliminate ants from your yard, here are some other effective options:
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Ant Baits – Contain slow-acting poison that worker ants take back to the colony and queen. Safer around pets.
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Diatomaceous Earth – Natural mineral dust that damages ants’ exoskeletons and causes dehydration. Also used against bed bugs, fleas, and cockroaches.
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Ant Sprays – Chemical sprays that kill on contact. Look for pet-safe options.
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Borax – Can be mixed with sugar water to make homemade ant killer baits. Low toxicity to mammals.
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Natural Repellents – Peppermint, cinnamon, vinegar, and citrus oils deter ants without killing them.
The Bottom Line
Standard weed killers and herbicides that target plants and weeds specifically will not kill ants. Their ingredients are designed to only affect plants through disrupting photosynthesis, plant growth hormones, and other biological processes unique to plants.
However, weed and feed fertilizers may contain added insecticides, and non-selective weed killers that destroy any plant tissues they touch may also kill ants by destroying their habitat and food sources if sprayed directly on ant hills or nests.
For best results in managing ants while keeping your lawn weed-free, use separate products formulated specifically for weed control and ant control. Look for ant baits, ant killer sprays, diatomaceous earth, borax, or natural repellents to get rid of ants in your yard without harming lawns and gardens.
It Protects Against Fire Ants
Fire ant fights are not what your lawn is for; it’s for carefree relaxation, summer barbecues, and pick-up games with the kids. Taking care of their nests, which appear out of nowhere, can feel like a full-time job. Here comes Scotts® Turf Builder® Southern Triple Action. When used as directed, it kills fire ants right away and stops new mounds from forming for up to 6 months.
Here’s how Scotts® Turf Builder® Southern Triple Action works:
When used as directed, Scotts® Turf Builder® Southern Triple Action kills weeds that are actively growing. It even kills some of the worst weeds around:
Make Your Yard ANT FREE FOREVER In 3 Easy Steps
FAQ
Can you use weed killer to kill ants?
How to get rid of ants permanently?
Can Roundup kill ants?
What kills ants the quickest?
Does weed killer kill fire ants?
No, most weed killers do not kill fire ants but there is a weed killer that can kill weeds along with fire ants. If you are willing to get a herbicide which can kill bug then “ Turf Builder Tripple Action ” is the one which can meet up your demand.
Does ant powder kill ants?
The insecticide within ant powder also has a residual effect which will act as a repellent barrier for other ants, and it will kill any ants within the covered area. If you have an ant infestation in your garden, or any other garden pest for that matter, we’re here to help!
How do you kill ant mounds?
Place ant baits or use pesticides to kill ants. Sprinkle granulated ant killer near the mounds. Pour carbonated water on the ant mound. Mix vinegar and water as an ant mound killer. Flatten and compact ant mounds to drive out ants. Each of these methods is effective at killing ants and driving them from your entire yard.
What are the best ways to kill ants?
Whether you decide to DIY with a natural home remedy or commercial product or call in a professional exterminator for help, read on to learn about the best ways to kill ants. For minimal fuss, pre-filled liquid bait stations like TERRO PreFilled Liquid Ant Killer II are an effective and popular DIY ant killer.
How do I get rid of ants in my garden?
To wipe out stubborn ants, outdoor liquid baits and granular ant killers are very effective, as is applying a pesticide mound killer and watering it into the soil. If you want to use a natural ant poison that won’t harm children or pets, mix diatomaceous earth into a destroyed mound to kill ants.
Does Roundup kill ants?
Roundup for Lawns Bug Destroyer – Kills Ants, Spiders, Fleas, Grubs, Ticks for up to 3 Months, Use on Residential Lawns, Home Perimeters, Ornamental & Flower Gardens, Treats up to 2,500 sq ft, 10 lb. Round-up bugs destroyer is effective for residential lawn and is 100% pet friendly. It can kill any type of insects like ants, spiders, bees, etc.