Warm weather brings kids outdoors to enjoy playgrounds, beaches, and backyard sandboxes. But the sunny days that call children to play also attract ants to these sandy spaces.
Ants can quickly invade and colonize sandboxes, creating nuisance ant hills and posing health risks if kids put contaminated sand into their mouths.
Stopping ants from turning your sandbox into their new home may seem difficult, but there are effective ways to deter these persistent pests.
This article will provide a step-by-step guide to keeping ants out of sandboxes using chemical repellents, physical barriers, cleanliness, toy storage, sand additives, and nest inspection.
Following these simple tips can help make sandboxes ant-free zones so kids can safely enjoy some outdoor summer fun.
Why It’s Important to Keep Ants Out of Sandboxes
Ants tunneling through the sand, swarming discarded food, and biting or stinging can quickly ruin sandbox playtime. Here are some of the top reasons it’s essential to take steps to keep ants away from your kids’ sandbox:
Health Risks
Ants in sandboxes carry bacteria and can contaminate the sand in several ways:
- Tunneling and digging in the sand
- Leaving behind ant droppings and debris
- Bringing food into the sandbox and leaving crumbs
- Marching back and forth from the sandbox to their nest
This bacteria can lead to an increased risk of diseases if kids put the contaminated sand in their mouths, which toddlers often do during play. Diseases spread through this type of bacterial contamination include:
- Salmonella
- E. coli
- Campylobacter
- Cryptosporidium
- Pinworms
- Giardia
Preventing ants from invading sandboxes helps reduce the chance of these dangerous bacteria spreading.
Nuisance
Forget about having that perfect smooth sandbox surface once ants take over. Ants will quickly excavate and ruin the sand:
- Digging deep tunnels
- Building large ant hills
- Scattering sand outside of the box
This can make playtime frustrating and less enjoyable if kids are trying to dig, build castles, or play with toy trucks and shovels in the sand. Ants will also swarm any food accidentally dropped in the sandbox, creating a mess of crumbs and ants that are difficult to clean up.
Bites
While not aggressive, some ant species will bite or sting if threatened or disturbed. Ant bites and stings can be painful and in some cases cause allergic reactions. Keeping ants away reduces the chances of kids getting bitten during sandbox play.
How to Keep Ants Out of a Sandbox (6 Steps)
Deterring ants from sandbox areas involves utilizing a multi-pronged approach. Combining these strategies can help create an effective barrier:
1. Use Chemical Repellents
Applying chemical treatments around the perimeter of the sandbox can help repel ants from entering.
Ant Repellent Sprays
- Spray repellent concentrates like synthetic pyrethroids, pyrethrins, or essential oils around the outer edges and legs of the sandbox.
- Reapply after heavy rains or every 2-3 weeks for best results.
- Exercise caution and keep kids away while treating the sandbox area.
Ant Baits/Traps
- Use ant baits or traps with borax or boric acid around the sandbox perimeter.
- Foraging worker ants take the bait back to the nest and queen, helping eliminate the colony.
- Replace depleted baits and relocate traps periodically.
2. Create Physical Barriers
Physical barriers can prevent ants from being able to access the sandbox.
Petroleum Jelly
- Coat the bottom of the sandbox legs with a layer of petroleum jelly.
- The slippery surface prevents ants from being able to climb up the legs.
- Reapply more jelly after heavy rains.
Water Moats
- Dig shallow moats around the perimeter of the sandbox and fill with water.
- Ants will not be able to cross over the water barrier.
- Change the water frequently to prevent mosquito breeding.
3. Keep Sandbox Areas Clean
Good sanitation practices help eliminate food sources that attract ants.
Sweep Away Food Crumbs
- Sweep or vacuum around the sandbox area daily to remove any spilled food or crumbs.
- Ants follow scent trails to food. Eliminating these trails removes an incentive for ants.
Remove Toys and Debris
- Have kids pick up all toys, sticks, leaves, and other debris from the sandbox after playtime.
- Leaving items provides more places for ants to hide and build nests.
4. Store Toys When Not in Use
Sealing up toys when the sandbox is not in use helps deny ants’ nesting spots.
- Keep all shovels, buckets, trucks, and other sandbox toys in a sealed plastic bin or shed when not playing.
- Eliminate places ants could hide and build nests in toys left out.
- Check toys thoroughly for ants before kids play with them again.
5. Sprinkle Deterrents on Sand
Applying scent deterrents directly on the sand can make the sandbox unappealing to ants.
Cinnamon
- Sprinkle cinnamon powder lightly over the sand.
- Cinnamon’s strong scent repels ants. Reapply after heavy rain.
Coffee Grounds
- Mix used coffee grounds into the top layer of sand.
- Coffee’s strong aroma deters ants from digging.
Chili Powder
- Dusting chili powder or cayenne pepper on the sand creates irritation and discomfort for ants.
Essential Oils
- Mix a few drops of peppermint, lavender, tea tree, or eucalyptus oil into the sand.
- These strong essential oil scents repel ants.
6. Check for Ant Nests
Inspecting the sandbox perimeter for signs of nests allows you to eliminate colonies.
- Check around and under the sandbox frequently for areas with increased ant activity.
- Ants excavate tiny holes or build mounds when nesting.
- Pour boiling water on nests to instantly kill ants and destroy nests.
- Use a shovel to remove and disrupt larger nests.
Being vigilant about checking for and destroying ant nests prevents colonies from becoming established close to the sandbox.
Deterring Ants from Sandboxes – The Key Takeaways
Here are some key tips to remember when trying to keep ants away from your kids’ sandbox:
- Apply chemical ant-repellent sprays or baits around the sandbox perimeter. Reapply them regularly.
- Create barriers like petroleum jelly or water moats that prevent access.
- Eliminate food sources by sweeping up spills and removing debris daily.
- Store toys in sealed bins when not in use to deny nesting areas.
- Sprinkle cinnamon, coffee grounds, or chili powder directly on the sand to deter ants.
- Check for signs of nests regularly and immediately destroy any ant colonies found nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deterring Ants from Sandboxes
Now, here are some FAQs.
How often should I reapply ant repellent sprays or petroleum jelly barriers?
Reapply chemical repellent sprays after every heavy rain or about every 2-3 weeks. Reapply petroleum jelly to sandbox legs as needed after heavy rains wash it away. Frequent reapplication is key to maintaining effective barriers.
Where is the best place to put ant baits or traps?
Place ant baits or traps around the outer perimeter of the sandbox area. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on trap density and placement. Placing them around the sandbox intercepts ants before they reach the sand.
Is there a homemade ant-repellent spray I can make?
Yes, you can make a simple homemade spray by combining 2 cups of water, 2 tablespoons of dish soap, and 10-15 drops of essential oils like peppermint or eucalyptus.
Mix well and spray around the sandbox perimeter. Reapply after heavy rain. The soapy water and strong oil scents deter ants.
What essential oils work best for repelling ants from sandboxes?
Peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender, lemongrass, tea tree, citronella, and orange essential oils have proven effective in repelling ants. Test different oils to see which deters ants best in your sandbox area.
Are ant deterrents like diatomaceous earth safe to sprinkle directly on the sand?
Diatomaceous earth and other abrasive deterrents should not be applied directly to sandbox sand where kids play. These can be respiratory irritants if inhaled. Reserve the use of diatomaceous earth for treating ant nests away from the sandbox.
Conclusion
Ants can quickly turn your kids’ sandbox from a place of enjoyment into a contaminated, ant-infested pit.
However implementing a focused pest management plan using repellents, barriers, cleanliness, plant-based deterrents, and nest removal can keep your sandbox ant-free.
The small time investment needed to proactively deter ants is well worth it to protect your children’s health and allow them to happily enjoy some summertime sandbox fun. Follow these tips and reclaim your sandbox from ants!
