Four clever hacks can help keep ants away from your garden and many gardeners swear by them. Ants are attracted to our gardens during warmer days so the season for these insects to arrive is upon us as summer edges closer. Ants are particularly attracted to gardens with a patio or paving, and they can cause a number of problems, one expert has said. So, you will want to take note of these hacks that can help you keep them away. 

Steven Walley, patio and paving expert at London Stone, has said: "Ants aren't just a nuisance or unsightly in your garden, but if they dig enough sand out from under your patio slabs or paved driveway, it can cause problems. By tunnelling through the sand under and between your paving, they can damage the integrity of the joints, causing paver sinkage. This can not only make the floor unlevelled but it can also cause bigger gaps to appear between paving slabs, leading to weeds and moss to grow." Here are Walley's top tips for keeping ants out of your garden. 

Think about the placement of compost bins in your garden

Walley says that strategic placement of compost bins is essential for keeping ants out of your garden. He revealed: "While there's no escaping ants in your garden, there are some simple ways you can deter them from your hosting spaces, such as your patio.

"If you have a compost bin, make sure it is placed far away from your house and your patio garden as this can attract insects such as ants. Similarly, make sure bins are regularly emptied - both inside and outside - as ants are often drawn to food and standing water."

Look out for signs of ants

You should be aware of the tell-tale signs of ants in your garden so you know when you have a problem on your hands. Walley explained: "To spot the signs of ants in your garden or paved driveway, look out for sand or dirt piles. Ants leave this behind as they dig down under your pavers. This also indicates the ant nest is close by, so it's a good place to focus any treatments you use here."

Carefully choose your jointing material

"Whether you have concrete, brick or porcelain paving, the material of your paving stones doesn't matter as it's underground that allows an ant colony to thrive," Walley said. "To reduce the likelihood of insects burrowing into the soil beneath your paving, opt for porcelain pavers, which use an impermeable, or water-resistant, jointing compound."

Keep your garden tidy

Keeping your garden space tidy is essential when it comes to keeping ants away, Walley says. He explained: "Simple jobs such as keeping a well-kept lawn, removing plant litter and storing wood piles inside a shed or garage can all help to deter ants."