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

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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

Apple tree in yard (Image credit: Future)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.Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.“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