Since I can't seem to find an Insect section at Yahoo! Answers, I figured I'd post my question here.
I live in the south, and it's very hot and dry here right now, and I noticed today I have ants all over the place. They're not fire ants or carpenter ants...these are what I call "sugar" ants...the tee-tiny black ones. They seem to be conglomerating around water areas (bathroom sinks, bath tub, kitchen sink). Does anyone know a saft "home remedy" for getting rid of them? I say safe because I have two young toddlers who are into EVERYTHING. I would put down ant traps, but I'm worried my kids would see them as toys and try to eat them or get sick from them. Is there anything I can do to get rid of these ants?
2006-07-21 15:56:03 · 6 answers · asked by brevejunkie 7 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
Buy some 20 Mule Team Borax laundry soap, put it in one of the squeeze ketchup bottles that you can buy at any dollar store, apply the dry soap around baseboards, cabinets around the drain pipes under the cabinet. Leave it lay for a few days until you no longer see any signs of the ants, they will carry it back to their nest and it WILL kill them, Vacuum up the remaining laundry soap. Use the remainder of the box of soap to do laundry. This fix should cost you five bucks or less and it works
2006-07-21 16:38:22 · answer #1 · answered by judy_derr38565 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ahh, the curse of the sugar ants !!!!
Try to find out where they are coming in -- then put cinnamon (the cheap container from Dollar General works) in the hole. Mine were coming in around the kitchen window. I made the hole just a little bigger then used a piece of paper to make a funnel and pour cinnamon down it. Kept them away for over a month. Time for me to put some fresh cinnamon down it again.
Also after cleaning the area, wipe it down with a WHITE vinegar and water solution. Mostly vinegar. Then let it air dry.
2006-07-21 16:35:23 · answer #2 · answered by Wisdomwoman 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bay leaves will draw them out but you still need a way of killing them. Boric acid mixed in with sugar on the counter top or floor will kill them once they get back to their colony.
Remember the old saying, if you see 1...
They usually sent scouts out similar to mice and roaches to get a feel for an area.
2006-07-21 16:03:30 · answer #3 · answered by David K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
eco-H. www.Ecoquestintl.com
Non-toxic plant-based household cleaner that zaps ants like crazy. That's all I use, my wife has multiple chemical sensitivity and poision is a no-no. It's cheap enough, at about $7.00 quart, that will last easily for a month.
If you have any trouble getting ahold of it, contact me.
2006-07-21 16:03:41 · answer #4 · answered by Elwood Blues 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you could also take borax and leave a trail of it all around your foundation.
Ensure that no foliage is climbing up your house as they use foliage as a route in, and the borax will keep them from climbing the foundation. They try to climb in and use your sources of water.
2006-07-22 00:08:14 · answer #5 · answered by Beth 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've heard that mint leaves keep ants away. Try that.
2006-07-21 16:03:57 · answer #6 · answered by nscboothe 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋