Ants

[Maggiesmom]

Ok we are finding tiny blackish ants in the bathroom. There is no food in there so we arent sure why they chose to be there but we want them gone. Ant traps are out of the question due to poisin with dogs and a toddler. What are other ways to get rid of ants? I dont know if any of this info is helpful but we live in northern Michigan, on a sandy lot and the house is on a 5 block crawl space...THANKS

 

[BoundlessNewfs]

In doing a search, I found several tips:
One said to put dried cream of wheat cereal out. The ants supposedly take it back to their colony and "blow up" when the eat it. Another was to mix baking soda and icing sugar (same result as cream of wheat). Another said to spread dried sage around, and you'll never see another ant there. Hmmmmm....I guess those are worth a try, and not something that would hurt kids or pets.

 

[blstarke]

Boric acid works good, can you put it in your under the sink cabinets?

 

[Capri]

Ants invade our living room every summer..

We've found out that salt keeps them away. We put salt on the floor and on their path and they don't come anymore.

Also Capri seems to scare them away as she gets down on their path and start licking them

. Sudden death by monster.

 

[Nasus]

I never heard about Sage... but i used Basil, and yes on LI.. spread it all around the outside of the house.. however u might want to find out what type of auts, hope there not carpenter ants..i think BOCES can ID them for you.

 

[Prdmary]

I have used an exterminater before. Usually takes care of them. Also if you do have someone come spray, make sure none of your shrubs/trees are touching the house. The ants crawl up onto the house via them avoiding the spray.

The ants are attracted to water also.

 

[Chad]

I have three suggestions,1. flame thrower,2. grenades or 3.fire crackers. LOL

 

[Jeannie]

Moving to the basement

 

[ina/puusty]

This reminds me of the time I was on the base in New Jersey area..and the mil. apts had everything wrong with them. Little things..like holes from the upstairs tub..where water flooded the downstairs light fixture..and would sparkle and fizz..now and again, and of course..ants. I couldn't drink the water..so we used bottled..but, I did try a small tactic..with damp tissues and swipeing the line of ants..with one motion, trot to the bathroom..and flush. I tried to see how long it would take to get about 50 ants total..and how many days it would take, with multiples of fifty-ish ants..throughout the day..until..the main nest..determined..something was SERIOUSLY WRONG..on the..'the other side'. With 2 babys and crumbs in the floor cracks..there was an abundant food harvest..going on. The couple I was there to assist, also had an African Grey parrot..fond of tossing stuff out of his floor cage. Took 4 days..and then..ant free. Not even a solitary sentry.. all gone! Prob. still pretty wretched karma there-abouts! ina n HB

 

[ardeagold]

Has it been really wet out? I've noticed that's when they come indoors.

I heard to put out a dish of sugar...by the window, or opening you see them coming through...OUTSIDE.

I've used ant spray specifically around those areas in the past. Under the sink...around the edge of the window ledge, etc. Generally that's not where dogs or children touch. We've had no problems.

There are also ant traps made!

 

[NewfyChic]

Originally posted by Ardeagold:
I heard to put out a dish of sugar...by the window, or opening you see them coming through...OUTSIDE.

I don't know where you heard about that, but ants are attracted to sugar and even if placed outside that would draw them in by the crap-loads, salt is the answer as is the others mentioned but never sugar!

 

[Annie Milliron]

Growing up, we used to have ants and we discovered that they came in through the dishwasher.