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Outdoor Mound-Building Ants

Formicidae

General Information

Mound-building ants excavate the soil to build colonies, which can leave unsightly ant hills (also called ant mounds) on your landscape and kill the surrounding grass. Find out how to help get rid of ants in the yard and keep them from coming indoors in search of a snack.

  • The average life expectancy of an ant is only a few weeks, but the ant colony can live for years.
  • Most species do not sting or directly harm humans or pets.

Size

0.3 cm to 1.0 cm Long

Color

Black | Brown | Reddish Brown | Tan

Bite or Sting

Sometimes

Wings

Sometimes

Commonly mistaken for

Nuisance Ants

Size : 0.2 cm to 1.0 cm Long
Color : Black / Brown / Reddish Brown / Tan
Bite or Sting : Yes
Wings : Sometimes

Carpenter Ants

Size : 0.6 cm to 1.3 cm Long
Color : Black / Black and Red
Bite or Sting : Yes
Wings : Sometimes

Fire Ants

Size : 0.3 cm to 0.6 cm Long
Color : Reddish Brown / Black
Bite or Sting : Yes
Wings : Sometimes

Additional details

Solutions for Outdoor Moundbuilding Ants

  • Raid Multi Insect Killer odourless 300ml aerosol spray can for controlling multiple household insect types.

    Raid® Multi Insect Killer Odourless kills flying and crawling insects fast. Its odourless formulation makes it suitable for use in and around the home while delivering effective insect control. A dual-purpose aerosol designed to provide effective control across multiple pest types, offering a convenient single solution for indoor environments.

     

    Highlights

    • Fast killing action on contact
    • Effective against flying and crawling insects
    • Odourless formulation for indoor use
    • Suitable for use in and around the home
  • Raid Multi Insect Killer lavender scent aerosol spray can for controlling flying and crawling insects.

    Raid® Extra Multi Insect Killer Lavender kills flying and crawling insects fast. Its low odour formulation with lavender scent makes it suitable for use in and around the home while providing effective insect control. A dual-purpose aerosol designed for use across multiple environments, including indoor areas and outdoor spaces such as patios, gardens, and picnic areas.

     

    Highlights

    • Fast killing action, even with one direct spray
    • Kills flying and crawling insects
    • Low odour formula with lavender scent
    • Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
  • Raid Multi Insect Killer odourless 500ml aerosol spray can for controlling multiple household insect types.

    Raid® Multi Insect Killer Odourless kills flying and crawling insects fast. The odourless formulation makes it suitable for use indoors, while still delivering effective insect control for a wide range of pest problems. Designed for everyday household use, this aerosol can be applied across multiple environments including living spaces, patios, and gardens, offering versatile protection against insects.

    • Kills flying and crawling insects on contact
    • Fast killing action, even with direct spray
    • Odourless formula for indoor comfort
    • Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
    • May be sprayed directly onto plants (with care)
  • Raid Essentials Multi Insect Killer water-based and odourless 180ml aerosol spray for house and garden use.

    Raid® Essentials Multi Insect Killer is designed to kill flying and crawling insects on contact. Its water-based, odourless formula delivers effective pest control without the irritating smell of kerosene or leaving an oily film, making it suitable for use in and around the home. Designed for use across multiple surfaces including carpets, draperies, no-wax floors, and outdoor areas such as gardens, terraces, and backyards, providing versatile insect control for everyday use.

     

    Highlights

    • Kills flying and crawling insects on contact.
    • Water-based formulation.
    • Odourless with no irritating kerosene smell.
    • Leaves no oily film.
    • Suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
    • May be sprayed onto plants and flowers; avoid over-saturation and test on a leaf first

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Over 12,000 species of ants have been identified, however only a small handful are a threat to your home. Getting rid of ants starts by understanding their behavior and their feeding habits.

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Chemical-free Ways to Help Keep Bugs Out of Your House and Yard

To help get rid of pests naturally, you have to think like a bug. How do they get in the house? What are they attracted to? Where do they hide and breed? Find the answers and solutions to these problems below.

Bug Finder Quiz

The first step to beating a pest is to know which species of insect you’re dealing with.
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DOES IT FLY?