We’ve got ants in the lawn — what should we do?
Ants in the lawn can be frustrating, especially when anthills start to spoil the surface. The good news is that ants themselves are not usually the real problem — it is the loose soil from anth
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ills that can leave the lawn uneven and messy when mowing. A proactive approach usually works best.
The short answer
Usually, the best approach is to act early and stay practical.
- Brush or scrape down anthills on a dry day
- Avoid mowing when the lawn is wet, as this can smear soil across the grass
- Deal with visible nests early, rather than waiting for activity to build
- Choose the control method that best suits the level of activity, whether that is a targeted lawn-safe drench or a biological option such as nematodes
Do ants damage the lawn?
Usually, not directly.
Ants can actually be beneficial in the garden, helping with soil movement and decomposition. The main problem on lawns is that their nest building leaves loose soil on the surface, which can create bumps and lead to scalping or smearing when mowing.
What about nematodes?
Nematodes are a useful natural =biological option, but they are best used as a targeted treatment rather than a magic fix for the whole lawn. Their role is to disrupt activity in the treated area and reduce worker ant numbers around the nest. With fewer workers supporting the colony, the nest may fail over time. Used alongside a lawn-safe drench, we recommend Ant Clear Granules which can form part of a more proactive approach to reducing repeat activity.
If you use nematodes, what do you need to do?
This part matters.
- Apply only when ants are active
- Apply when soil temperatures are above 10°C
- Start with a moist lawn or moist nest area
- Water in well after application
- Keep the treated area moist for at least two weeks
- Avoid letting the lawn dry out during that period
- Apply in dull conditions, in the evening, or during light rainfall where possible
Should you spray the whole lawn with nematodes?
Usually, no — not as a first step.
The published guidance for Nemasys No Ants is focused on visible activity and treating nests or active areas, rather than routine blanket application across the whole lawn.
The Greener Gardens view
There is no single “solution in a bottle” available for ants in the lawn. The best results usually come from being observant, acting early and choosing the right response for the level of activity you have. For many customers, that means brushing down dry anthills promptly, avoiding messy mowing conditions and treating active nests before the problem builds into a bigger issue.