A few ant hills scattered around the yard usually aren’t much of a problem. But once they start spreading or growing into large mounds, they can quickly become a headache. They get in the way when you’re mowing, make it unpleasant to walk across the lawn barefoot, and can even spill over into flower beds and gardens.

Ants have an important place in nature, but that doesn’t mean you have to share your yard with a large colony. Once ants settle in, they’re unlikely to leave unless something forces them to. The key is either destroying the nest or making the area unattractive enough that they relocate.

Fortunately, you don’t need expensive products or complicated treatments. Many of the best solutions use items you may already have at home. Here are some simple ways to get rid of large ant hills and help keep them from returning.

Pour Boiling Water Into the Mound

Boiling water is one of the quickest ways to attack an ant colony. Slowly pour it directly into the center of the mound so it reaches as much of the underground nest as possible.

Large colonies may survive the first treatment, so don’t be surprised if you need to repeat the process over the next few days. Using enough water to soak the tunnels usually gives the best results.

Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth Around the Nest

Food-grade diatomaceous earth is a natural powder that damages an ant’s outer coating, causing it to dry out and die.

Spread it over the mound and along any trails leading to and from the nest. Since moisture reduces its effectiveness, wait until the area is dry and reapply after rain or watering.

Set Out a Boric Acid Bait

Instead of killing ants immediately, boric acid works slowly. Worker ants carry the bait back to the colony, where it eventually reaches the queen and the rest of the nest.

Mix a small amount of boric acid with a sweet ingredient like sugar or syrup to attract the ants. Place it where pets and young children can’t reach it, since boric acid can be harmful if swallowed.

Dig Up and Move the Colony

If you’d rather avoid killing the ants, disturbing the nest is another option. Breaking apart the mound with a shovel can convince the colony that the location is no longer suitable.

You can relocate the loose soil to a less-traveled corner of your property, giving the ants a better place to rebuild away from your lawn or garden.

Use Orange Peels

Orange peels contain natural oils that ants dislike. Some of those compounds can also be harmful to them after direct contact.

Lay fresh peels over the mound or blend them with a little water to create a paste. Spread it over the nest and let the citrus oils do their work.

Spray a Vinegar Solution

White vinegar is a popular home remedy because it kills ants on contact while also removing the scent trails they use to find their way.

Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle and soak the ant hill along with nearby trails. Be careful around flowers and grass, since vinegar can damage plants.

Cover the Mound With Cinnamon

Cinnamon won’t wipe out an entire colony, but many ants avoid it because the strong smell interferes with the chemical trails they rely on.

Sprinkle a generous amount over the mound and refresh it after rain. It works best as a deterrent while you’re trying to persuade ants to relocate.

Break Up Their Trails With Lemon Juice

Lemon juice has a similar effect to vinegar by masking the scent trails ants follow between food and the nest.

Mix lemon juice with water and spray it around the mound, sidewalks, patios, and anywhere you’ve noticed heavy ant traffic.

Scatter Cornmeal Nearby

Some homeowners use cornmeal as a natural way to reduce ant colonies. The ants carry it back underground, but many believe they struggle to digest it.

This method usually works more slowly than others, so it requires patience and may be more useful alongside other treatments.

Pour Club Soda Into the Nest

Club soda contains dissolved carbon dioxide that may help disrupt conditions inside the tunnels.

Pour an entire bottle directly into the mound, aiming for the center. Large colonies may require several treatments before you notice much improvement.

Use Soapy Water

Dish soap mixed with water creates a simple solution that kills ants on contact while also washing away their scent trails.

Pour it into the mound or spray it over active areas. It can reach deeper into the nest than a surface treatment alone.

Plant Herbs That Ants Avoid

Once you’ve gotten rid of the colony, keeping new ones from moving in is the next step.

Herbs such as mint, rosemary, lavender, and thyme produce scents that many ants prefer to avoid. Planting them around gardens, walkways, and common trouble spots can make those areas less inviting and reduce the chances of another colony settling in.