It's normal to see some ants in your garden, but sometimes the populations can grow so large it can become a real nuisance. They are one of the most common garden pests, and while they are an integral part of the ecosystem, having large anthills can cause a problem for plants, rocks and pavings.
According to garden expert Zach Morgan, if you leave them untreated they can also "easily find their way into your kitchen through cracks and infest your home too".
While most gardeners will be willing to let a few ants slide, you may want to try to get rid of them if you have a major infestation.
Fiona Jenkins at Myjobquote.co.uk, the UK's leading trades matching site has shared some of the "most effective methods" to get rid of any ants in your garden – and one hardly costs any money at all.
Speaking to The Mirror, Fiona explained that "boiling water is one of the most effective methods". She added: "All you need to do is locate as many nest entrances as you possibly can and then pour boiling water inside.
"You may need to repeat this a few times until all of the ants are exterminated."
Another method with "a high success rate" is liquid dish soap and oil. Fiona explained: "Simply mix half a teaspoon of liquid dish soap with 1.5 teaspoons of cooking oil, then add a litre of water.
"Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray all of the ants you can visibly see. Then, use the leftover mixture and pour it into the ants nest. The liquid dish soap and oil will soak into the exoskeletons of the ants and suffocate them."
Lastly, the garden expert suggested white vinegar, which can be purchased for around 29p. Fiona continued: "White vinegar is also a great option for getting rid of ants. Pour around a litre of white vinegar into the nest through as many entrances as you can find.
White vinegar is not harmful to your plants or the ground. However, it works wonders in getting rid of ants as it will kill them upon contact."
Meanwhile, Zach, expert at UK-based company for people with house maintenance matters Fantastic Services, issued a warning to gardeners who have an ant infestation, as it might not be enough to get rid of them.
He told The Mirror: "While these methods can be effective at getting rid of ants in your garden, it's important to first try to identify the root cause of the problem.
"Ants are attracted to sweet substances, so removing any sources of sugary foods or liquids from your garden is essential to help prevent future ant problems.
"Some signs to help you identify an ant infestation can be ant nests, pathways and live ants.
"Keep in mind also that ants aren't always a bad thing. Sometimes, they can be beneficial because they can act as a natural form of pest control and eat the young or the eggs of some pest species.
"They can also help area your garden soil by building tunnels and nesting underground. This will make it easier for nutrients, oxygen and water to move and reach the roots of your plants."
