Annnts, Annnts, Annnts!

[lsdesign]

For the past several weeks I've had an onslaught of teeny tiny ants and carpenter ants in the kitchen and bathroom. I went out and purchased super duper Raid ant traps, they slowed the immigration however, now they are back.

Anyone tried something that works? I am hoping I don't have to call an extermination company. Thanks!

[sparrowgrass]

For the little ants, try Terro--comes in a little bottle, like a vanilla bottle. It is corn syrup and borax.

You put a dollop of it onto a piece of paper, the ants will swarm around it in large numbers, and carry it back to the nest to poison the whole lot. Keep dolloping it on the paper until you see no more ants.

For carpenter ants--here is what the Texas University Extension says: Should you attempt carpenter ant control yourself? Although do-it-yourself drilling and treating walls is possible, an easier approach is the use of baits. Carpenter ants have traditionally been difficult to lure with baits, however some new products may be worth trying. Whitmire Granular Carpenter Ant Bait, Maxforce® Carpenter Ant Gel, and Maxforce® Outdoor Ant Killer Granules have been used successfully against carpenter ants. These products should be placed outdoors along carpenter ant foraging trails. Containerized ant baits often include label recommendations for indoor use against carpenter ants, however they have had little reported success against our Texas species. Commercial boric acid baits using peanut butter, molasses or jelly as an attractant may control some colonies. Baits with lower percentages of boric acid (1-2%) appear to work best. Fire ant baits are unattractive to carpenter ants.

Baits should be placed near ant trails or wherever carpenter ants are seen. The best way to locate outdoor foraging trails is to use a flashlight at night in warm weather, when the ants are most active. Trails will be found along fences or tree branches, wires, etc. Once picked up by ants, baits are transported to the colony where they are shared with the queen and other ants. If one bait seems unattractive when first offered, try it again in another month. Carpenter ants go through seasonal changes in their food preferences-- preferring sweets at times, and proteins at other times. Do not use other pesticides near sites where you are baiting, as this may repel the ants.

[lsdesign]

THANK YOU! I surely hope I can find the products and strategies you've mentioned.
Never had a problem up here in the north country however nowadays they are always present.

[DeeK]

We use a gel called MaxForce. It looks like a giant hypodermic needle. You can put some of the gel along the trail. The active ingredient is similar to Terro's, but lasts longer.

We also spray along the perimeter outside our house with a product called Demon. We get it at the Do-It-Yourself exterminating company.

[hollysmom]

I have found the Terro stuff at WalMart. It really works well - but you must be a bit patient.

SSM

[cookieee]

Hi, if you don't want to use chemicals in your kitchen, I have read that wiping down your counters with vinagar across the trails will discourage them from coming back. It distroys the scent that they follow. It works for me.

[mbrogier]

I have vinegar in a spray bottle that I use for the small sugar ants.

Carpenter ants tend to go where there's been water damage, so I'd call an exterminator for that. My parents had carpenter ants a couple of times, and the sooner the extermintator was called, the cheaper the repairs were. One or two carpenter ants wouldn't worry me, but several raise suspicion.

[schuh]

I know from experience, carpenter ants can do major damage to a house. They have nothing to do with how clean your house is, and all the wiping with vinegar will do you no good. They feed on rotting wood.

With carpenter ants it's worth the investment to call an exterminator. They are likely living where your baits and chemicals can't reach.

[lsdesign]

Curiously, they are in my cupboards with the glasses, dishes and plastic containers.
They have slowed down in the main bathroom. I'm about to go to the local Agway and ask about what has been suggested.

[mbrogier]

Curiously, they are in my cupboards with the glasses, dishes and plastic containers.
They have slowed down in the main bathroom. I'm about to go to the local Agway and ask about what has been suggested.


You probably have water pipes in the wall behind those cupboards if you're seeing carpenter ants near there. The copper pipe that provides water to the refrigerator could also be leaking--if it's behind that cupboard. It could be any number of things. Putting down bait for carpenter ants isn't going to fix the larger problem, though. You won't know what's really going on until the damage is so large that it seeps through, causes mold, or a ceiling caves in. :o