Ants in your Campoamor garden? What artificial grass hides

Having an impeccable garden is the dream of any resident in the area of Orihuela Costa or Pilar de la Horadada.

However, the tranquillity of a back patio can be shattered by one of the most common nightmares: an ant invasion that seems immune to any supermarket insecticide.

Recently, we attended a case in Campoamor where a homeowner tried, without success, to combat a pest infestation in her 50 square metre patio. The story is always the same: home remedies or commercial products are tried and, far from disappearing, the problem gets worse.

As a curious fact, did you know that Tapinoma sessile, known as the odorous house ant, gets its name because it gives off a smell very similar to rotten coconut or blue cheese when crushed?

The mystery of the sand on artificial grass

Many clients ask us why small mounds of fine sand appear in the corners of their artificial grass, especially in areas such as Cabo Roig or Mil Palmeras.

The answer is simple: the ants are digging. When creating their underground galleries, they displace material by pushing it upwards through the joints or edges of the perimeter.

The result is that annoying dirt that ruins the aesthetics of the garden and which, in many cases, is the first sign of an active colony beneath our feet.

Why does artificial grass attract ants?

Although it may seem contradictory, artificial grass can encourage the proliferation of pests. Beneath the surface, the combination of silica sand and anti-weed mesh creates a sheltered, dark and damp microclimate.

It is, in short, the "luxury penthouse" for ants: they are safe from predators and bad weather, while the mesh acts as a solid roof for their tunnels.

Furthermore, Tapinoma sessile is extremely sociable: its colonies can have multiple queens and thousands of workers. If you see a trail of ants, it is very likely that the nest also extends to neighbouring homes or communal areas of the estate.

The professional solution in Campoamor

For this specific case, after identifying the species, it was necessary to lift the artificial grass to treat the source of the problem directly.

We applied a shock treatment and subsequently a high-persistence insecticide to prevent the ants from re-entering from outside.

If you live in Campoamor, Dehesa de Campoamor or the surrounding area and have noticed that ants have taken over your garden, remember that acting in time is key.

A professional treatment not only eliminates the pest, but gives you back the security and peace of mind to enjoy the patio again in just 12 hours.

Don't let a small invasion become a bigger problem. Contact us today and we will find the anthill before they find their way to your kitchen.