Ants. How to make them go away safely?

[Rainy9]

After some warmer weather and a bit of rain, I've noticed a few ants wandering around in Totoro's room.

I thought they were going after her food, but they only seem interested in her HHB's. So I started sweeping away the crumbs more and more often throughout the day.

But the ants keep getting worse. Now they are going after her food as well.
I read somewhere that using a bit of diluted vinagar to wipe down all the areas where the ants trailed and entered would work. Tried that...no workey.

I'm pretty sure they are coming in from the window. I've started keeping it closed now since it is getting hotter and cracked the A/C vent open a bit in her room. Figured maybe keeping it cooler in there might help deter them?

Does anyone know of a way to stop the ants without using harsh chemicals? I mean, I guess it would be okay to use chems. on the OUTSIDE of the window, but I still dont like the idea because I have two dogs out there.

[Jackie in Tampa]

double sided tape on the inside window sill
I used it on the legs of a cage when they were climbing...it worked well!:thumbsup

[Rainy9]

AWESOMENESS!!!! Thanks Jackie. Will try!

[mugzeezma]

borax along the perimeter may work too. The crystals get into their exoskeleton...oh forget it :D
try Borax
Also spring is when the ants hatch . in a month or so the problem will lessen.

I used to live in an ANT FARM once

[Rainy9]

I get what your trying to say about the borax.
Thanks for the idea. I will try that too.
Can't hurt to be double protected! Borax to kill em and sticky tape for those that make it past the borax.

I love borax. So many uses.


Speaking of ants being seasonal...once a year around this time(but thankfully not yet) a colony of ants will build a nest right on the inside of the overflow drain in my bathtub. :soapbox They bite yer toesies!

Does this mean my pipes are compromised somehow? Wonder where they are coming from.

[mugzeezma]

I get what your trying to say about the borax.
Thanks for the idea. I will try that too.
Can't hurt to be double protected! Borax to kill em and sticky tape for those that make it past the borax.

I love borax. So many uses.


Speaking of ants being seasonal...once a year around this time(but thankfully not yet) a colony of ants will build a nest right on the inside of the overflow drain in my bathtub. :soapbox They bite yer toesies!

Does this mean my pipes are compromised somehow? Wonder where they are coming from.
Those tiny brown ones?
They come up the outside on the pipes. They are called P' latin latin somethings.:thinking
yeah that was helpful
Get Diazanon and sprinkle it over the nest outside.

[mugzeezma]

http://www.terminix-triad.com/ants.html

[JLM27]

orange oil insecticide chases them away and will not harm the environment. I just bought some on Amazon. I don't think it kills them, it just repels them. Orange Guard 103.

[Jackie in Tampa]

What action is EPA taking regarding home and garden use of diazinon?As part of an agreement between EPA and diazinon registrants to phase out and eliminate all residential uses of the insecticide diazinon, as of December 31, 2004, it will be unlawful to sell diazinon outdoor, non-agricultural products in the United States. EPA is issuing a reminder notice to hardware stores and home and garden retailers to inform them of the December 31, 2004, stop sale date for all outdoor diazinon home, lawn, and garden products.

Chemicals are killing the earth..
we are talking ants, not ben laden, holy smokes..

for that matter raid will kill'em..
and us too...

borax can be toxic too...be careful...

[gardenfairyjen]

I would go with the orange oil insecticide or diatomaceous earth.

[mugzeezma]

What action is EPA taking regarding home and garden use of diazinon?As part of an agreement between EPA and diazinon registrants to phase out and eliminate all residential uses of the insecticide diazinon, as of December 31, 2004, it will be unlawful to sell diazinon outdoor, non-agricultural products in the United States. EPA is issuing a reminder notice to hardware stores and home and garden retailers to inform them of the December 31, 2004, stop sale date for all outdoor diazinon home, lawn, and garden products.

Chemicals are killing the earth..
we are talking ants, not ben laden, holy smokes..

for that matter raid will kill'em..
and us too...

borax can be toxic too...be careful...

wasn't aware of that
have cans of it from father ...I guess I need to run that off to the chemical disposal
diatomaceous earth it is

[Rhapsody]

Does anyone know of a way to stop the ants without using harsh chemicals? Downy Dryer Sheets are GREAT for keeping ANTS/BUGS away.
You can rip them and tie a downy sheet around each leg of the cage and the ants will be no more......... :thumbsup :thumbsup

[Mrs Skul]

:wave123 Hi Rainy
Have you sprayed bug killer around the perimeter of the house and the window seals? Also any cracks you have bugs can get into.
Do you put the weed/feed/ant killer on your yard? What kind of ants are they? Fireants, Pissanta, honeydew ants? :thinking
They make a Green Pesticide that has work for me. I just can't remember the name. :D
I will try to find the name and let you know.:thumbsup3

[Alaskan Squirrel Cam]

I just read an article in a special issue of birds and blooms(hummingbird edition) on Ant DeterrentsA lot of suggestions, such as Orange peel, Skin So Soft an Avon product. Chalk lines stopped ants from crossing was a suggestion. It was a very short article so may not be worth the cost of the magazine. Skin so Soft, we used in Alaska for mosquito repellent, and it worked pretty good.

bob

[Rhapsody]

....... White RICE
works as well - the ants eat the uncooked rice then it swells once it hits their stomach juices causing an explosion - instance death to the ant.

[JLM27]

OK, ants are God's creatures too. Diatomaceous earth cuts their skin and makes them slowly dehydrate. It is a slow death. Not very humane. Making them explode sounds equally inhumane. The orange oil I suggested or the Downy sheets will simply REPEL them so that they will go live their lives elsewhere, although if you spray them with orange oil it will kill them, as in chemical warfare kill.. Do unto others as you would have done unto you includes animals, in my book. And yes, last I checked, ants are animals too, and pretty amazing ones at that.

[Milo's Mom]

ants travel by scent...sprinkle some cinnamon where you see them...it will throw off their sense of smell and they have no choice but to turn around and go back from where they came.

[Rainy9]

Wow! You guys came out of the woodwork with your solutions...just like ants! teehee!

I'm not sure exactly what kind of ants they are. There are some very tiny blonde looking ones, but they rarely present themselves and are not the problem. The others are big, brownish red and bite.

Well, at least it's not velvet ants! Eeek! (which aren't really ants) but they sure are pretty to look at.

I agree with you JLM. They are amazing creatures. I spent many hours of my childhood lying at ground level, watching them do their thing. I do feel a bit of guilt when I smoosh one with my finger after finding it on my toe biting me.

All really cool ideas. Thanks everyone.

[JakesLittlePrincess]

Coffee grounds also work if you drink lots of coffee. It throws off their scent and is also supposed to keep cats away. I use it in my veggie garden to keep the ants from eating my plants.