3-foot band up the foundation wall. Be sure to treat points of entry into the home such as around doors, and where utility pipes and wires enter from the outside. The application may need to be repeated to achieve long-term control. Although this publication has dealt primarily with the role of ants as pests, ants play an important role as beneficials in the urban landscape. Ants are efficient scavengers and prey upon many other pests including plant-damaging caterpillars, and insects which infest lawns.
Some ants also gather and feed on weed seeds, thereby helping to reduce problems with weeds.
Whole-yard treatments to control ants are not normally needed nor recommended. Indiscriminate spraying of the entire yard seldom solves an indoor ant problem and eliminates beneficial ants which may be important allies in suppressing other pests on your property. The use of some products may not be legal in your state or country. Please check with your local county agent or regulatory official before using any pesticide mentioned in this publication.