Question
I live in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.  Every May, when the weather becomes warmer and spring is upon us, ant colonies appear in our lawn.  They build their homes in the ground and what results is large mounds of dirt being piled up in the area above the colony.  I'm not sure if i'm using the word colony correct.  essentially it's the ants burrowing underneath the lawn, creating tunnels etc.  i've tried boric acid mixed with icing sugar, powdered chalk etc.  neither of these worked.  I have used diazonon on them and this is the only thing that has actually killed the colonies.  i would love to find a treatment that is less harmful but yet effective.  perhaps the boric acid and icing sugar was unsuccessful because these ants don't eat that kind of food?  we have no problem with ants in our house, they are just a nuisance on our lawn.  every year they come and we have young children.  I don't want our children to step on a colony. What is the most effective way to kill thes any colonies?  I am not so concerned about the prevention of them, as i'm not sure if you can possibly prevent the colonies from starting.  i would like to find an effective method to destroy the colonies once they have been created. - non- toxic if possible.  if not then can you suggest the most effective toxic product on the market in Canada?

Answer
Jean, the best organic solution for ants is diatomaceous earth. Basically, it is a mineral product composed of crushed fossilized shells which are fatal when a soft-bodied insect crawls across them. They eventually experience dehydration and imminent death. I'm not sure about its availability in Canada, but I know it can be purchased here in the States at any garden center or nursery. Your best option may be purchasing it online through a variety of companies that sell organic products such as Planet Natural.  Attached is a link to this product:

http://www.planetnatural.com/site/diatomaceous-earth.html

I hope this helps.  If I can be of further assistance, please write again.

Regards,

Mike