I came on to suggest nematodes, although I'm not sure what time of year its best to use those, and that's critical for effectiveness. Looks like the old fashioned method then - open up the nest, run like hell, come back and pour a kettle of boiling water into it - or wear wellies with trousers tucked in and pour the water in as soon as you open it up.

Thanks. I may have to do that in the night as I'm sure my neighbours will think I'm crazy! I'm actually quite concerned all the nests join up in a giant one under the lawn and I will wake up to an enormous hole one morning!

Be careful when you open them up though, I'm serious about that - the blasted soldier ants swarm out, up your spade or fork, onto your feet and generally run amok looking for the enemy - and they can give quite a painful nip. I always drop the spade and run like billyo and then come back after a few minutes with a kettle. Not wearing sandals...

Will the hose from a distance work Bamboo?

No, absolutely not - the water has to be boiling. I know its terrible, but it cooks the eggs so they don't hatch...

Thanks Bamboo, forget about the eggs!

Boiling water doesn't kill all the ants but it knocks the numbers back so they're less visible and troublesome.

Awwwww! I feel all itchy reading this post.
Good Luck in getting rid of your ant's Scratch! Scratch! :-!

i watched a programme about ants and they poured cement into one nest . after they poured 10 tons of liquid cement in it filled the nest up . when they dug into it after it had gone hard there was a huge laberinth 30 metres across and 10 metres down . it does depend on the type of ant as there is some that have a complete nest inside an acorn and then you get others . i hate to put you strate bamboo as i am normaly the one asking you the questions but we dont get soldier ants or driver ants in this country . they are a tropical species that never have a permanent nest . they link legs and make a living nest or biverwack . they then eat everything in there way that cant get out the way for about 100 metres . when theyve eaten everything in one area they move on . we get wood ants but not realy in our gardens hence the name . they are black quit big and squirt formic acid at you and bite . its an unmistable smell . the ants you get in our gardens are mostly smaller dark br5own ones and rarer quit bright red colour ones . they do bight and will fight to the death over there nest . i think the trouble is they realy like building nests in sandy areas . the trouble is you may well be killing your ants but if you have sandy type soil and nieghbers who dont care then new ants take over old territory strate away . the powder etc does work but ants havnt been around for hundreds of millions of years on lots of animals dinner lists for know reasen . there is an ant in america spreading like crazy called a fire ant as it stings as well as bights . if you could think of a way of getting rid of them you would be a millionare . sorry about being devils advocate . i hope ive helped even if its so you know what your up against . perhaps you could figure a way of living with the ants instead of fighting a battle you cant possibly win .

This is awful. I have a Wasps Nest in my compost heap. Little brown Wasps. News is that the Council Pest Protection Officers have to come with some special powder as all other methods fail to kill the Queen. The worker Wasps die off in the winter, but the Queen hibernates and starts a new nest in the Spring, so has to be snuffed out with the powder.
Might be a good idea to find out what this powder is, and if the Ant's nests can be treated in the way. Cost is
£45 in UK.

All wasps arnt bad for ypur garden and they dont all sting .

I buy ant killer in Wilkinsons, there disks, the ants are attracted to whats inside and takes it back to the nest, killing whatever is in the nest, ive tried all sorts over the years, from leaving a half chewed toffee out to attract them, then hoovering them up lol, to powder, the disc is most effective..
Hi NP, but how do we know which one's dont sting, there the only creature im scared of in the garden, i run a mile, screaming when there hovering in my face hahaha..