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April 8, 2008
ANT INVASION
don't know what happened but suddenly they're everywhere. Any ideas of what to do? and please don't tell me to keep my kitchen crumb free - that is virtually impossible with two small children, no dog, and lots of floorboard cracks, etc.
Comments
go to the store - don't they have little traps - like for roaches, only smaller - that work for ants? You need to stick them behind stuff, like appliances, where you kids won't find them and chew on them. If that's not possible, then google for any natural, harmless substance that works, if there is one.
Posted by: guest at April 8, 2008 6:36 PM
go to the store - don't they have little traps - like for roaches, only smaller - that work for ants? You need to stick them behind stuff, like appliances, where you kids won't find them and chew on them. If that's not possible, then google for any natural, harmless substance that works, if there is one.
Posted by: guest at April 8, 2008 6:37 PM
I found those little traps that they sell at the supermarket work wonders. I know you say it's impossible to keep the place totally clean, but may want to try, especially if you see places where there seem to be more of them.
And old room mate used sugar to lure them into a spot, then boiling water to kill them. Certainly horrible of the ants, but it did work.
Good luck!
Posted by: Ray at April 8, 2008 6:47 PM
If you can see the crack(s) through which they are entering, try filling with spackle or filler or whatever with some chili powder mixed in. I know it sounds nutty, but they won't eat through it, and will stop coming in.
Posted by: mshook at April 8, 2008 7:25 PM
I get an influx once every spring and those supermarket traps do the trick. I've been told they come in looking for water as much as for food.
Posted by: guest at April 8, 2008 8:03 PM
Get boric acid powder and sprinkle it around.
Posted by: Ysabelle at April 8, 2008 8:42 PM
Get boric acid powder and sprinkle it around.
Posted by: Ysabelle at April 8, 2008 8:42 PM
Ignore Ysabelle if you care about your kids and any pets you may have.
Posted by: guest at April 8, 2008 9:33 PM
I've had this problem every spring and last year found a product that really works, Combat ant gel. It's in a syringe and you must use it sparingly, but the ants do take the slow acting poison to the nest and they are all dead within 2-3 days. Also table salt supposedly cuts their bodies, and boric acid at the house foundation helps. Good luck
Posted by: guest at April 8, 2008 9:38 PM
I've had this problem every spring and last year found a product that really works, Combat ant gel. It's in a syringe and you must use it sparingly, but the ants do take the slow acting poison to the nest and they are all dead within 2-3 days. Also table salt supposedly cuts their bodies, and boric acid at the house foundation helps. Good luck
Posted by: guest at April 8, 2008 9:44 PM
I had an ant problem last summer, despite also keeping the kitchen and other areas free of crumbs. I researched quite a bit. The home remedies, including salt and vinegar, did nothing but made my home smell like a chip shop. The standard supermarket traps (round white Raid-style) were pretty useless. Then I tried Terro (this sounds like a bad commercial, I know, but it worked immediately). http://www.terro.com/ Try the liquid ant baits. The critters love the stuff. There was a stampede in to get it and I guess they return it to the nest and party til they drop. Problem was gone in a couple of days. Just be careful using them around kids unless you can hide them in corners, put them under furniture, etc (the traps that is, not the kids). Good luck!
Posted by: Biff Champion at April 9, 2008 9:30 AM
Thanks so much everyone - I really appreciate it!
Posted by: guest at April 9, 2008 10:44 AM
Thanks so much everyone - I really appreciate it!
Posted by: guest at April 9, 2008 10:49 AM
I had a similar problem a few years ago. Try to figure out where they're coming from. In my case, I found they were getting into my downstairs neighbors apartment, and from there, we found they were coming through a small crack at the base of the building. We sprayed around the crack, closed the crack up, and then sprayed around the holes where they were living in my and his apartment. After a couple of days, they were gone for good. Sometimes they just find a way in and go nuts until you find the source...
Posted by: guest at April 9, 2008 11:46 AM
Clean the area or trail well with Windex. Then, if you can find the entrance point (mine was under a baseboard)fill the area with peppermint tea leaves(I just used the contents of store bought tea bags). You can also soak a piece of string on peppermint extract and put it at the entrance point. The ants won't cross the barrier.
Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 9:15 AM
Clean the area or trail well with Windex. Then, if you can find the entrance point (mine was under a baseboard)fill the area with peppermint tea leaves(I just used the contents of store bought tea bags). You can also soak a piece of string on peppermint extract and put it at the entrance point. The ants won't cross the barrier.
Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 9:19 AM
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