I just discovered the one overlooked thing attracting ants to my yard — and it’s so simple

Now that summer is in full force, I love nothing more than hosting gatherings in my backyard; firing up my grill for a cookout and relaxing outdoors with some friends.

But there’s nothing more unappealing than seeing a trail of ants literally invading my patio and dining area.

While I’ve tried various methods to banish ants — ranging from commercial powders and white vinegar to boiling water — they typically offer only a quick fix as the trail quickly appears elsewhere.

However, I discovered the real source of the problem was a hidden issue at the back of my yard all along. In fact, by overlooking this, I was unknowingly inviting other potential vermin (like mice) into my garden for their next feast.

Here’s the one thing I overlooked that was inviting ants into my yard — and you probably are too.

Not picking up fallen fruit from trees

If you have a fruit tree (or several), chances are you’ll get an abundance of fruit this summer. And since I have a large, overgrown apple tree at the back of my yard, I’d frequently find fallen apples rotting on the ground.

Trouble is, I’d often wait until there was a pile of apples before clearing them up, rather than taking immediate action. That was before I found out from an expert that this was a likely cause of my relentless ant problem in my yard.

“Fallen fruit can attract ants due to its natural sugar content,” states Jon Saeed, co-founder of LightingLegends.com.

“At this time of year, fruit begins to drop more frequently, so regularly removing any fruit from the ground will reduce potential food sources and help limit pest activity.”

After learning this, I started scanning for dropped fruit every day, making sure to clear away every apple and toss it into my compost heap.

And in two weeks, I began to notice a difference. Finally, the ant trails around my tree trunk and nearby greenery had completely vanished.

Top tips to naturally repel ants

Another top tip is to sprinkle food-grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE) along ant trails, or use a DIY solution of white vinegar and water to help repel and keep the critters at bay.

“Spraying vinegar onto areas where ants are likely to be can help deter activity and reduce the likelihood of nests becoming established, which can help protect lawns,” adds Saeed.

So if you ever wonder why you keep having an ant invasion, take a minute to scan for any dropped fruit on the ground — before you offer ants (and other pests) an open invitation to your outdoor space.

More from Tom's Guide

• How do I know what kind of ants I have in my home and why it matters? I ask the pest experts
• Pest experts warn you should never squash ants in your home — here’s why
• 5 steps to stop carpenter ants before they infest your home