how can I get rid of ants without sprays that will harm my kids and pet?

Question

is there anything I can use that won't harm my kids and my cat if they touch it

Answer 1

You can buy products at your local hardware/Lowes/Home Depot etc.
READ THE LABEL CAREFULLY AND COMPETELY. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS THOROGHLY.

Do not spray more often than the label states.

If you are not comfortable treating or do not get the results you expect, contact your local exterminator.

Answer 2

Pest control experts will tell you to do a perimeter spray around your entire home at least once per month to control ants. Pesticides used in the past were Diazinon, DDT, Dursban and others. Today, less toxic alternatives are used. I'd consult with a licensed pest exterminater, asking whether a low toxicity safer pesticide can be used to control your ant problem. You can usually get a no cost estimate from an licensed exterminater. You could go to Home Depot or Lowes and get some spray to do it yourself. Spray the perimeter of your home at least once per month. Remember, any pesticide must be used with caution! Look for a pesticide with permithrins in it, these are the least toxic ones to use.

Organic gardeners use Tansy, Tanacetum vulgare plants planted around the kitchen door to repel ants. I've also heard of Tansy plants being made into a tea and spraying the concoction around the perimeter of your house to keep the ants out! I'd bet a strong Tansy tea with a dash of spreader sticker (ivory liquid soap) would be worth a try if you want to stay organic and hate the use of chemical pesticides! Tansy can be planted into pots or into the soil. The only problem is that Tansy can become an invasive plant sometimes! I hope this helps and good luck with the ants!

Answer 3

I've had the same problem. Tried vinegar, organic sprays and ant traps. None were ever completely effective. Finally, I held the spray up close to a wadded-up paper towel, sprayed some on, and wiped it on a spot on the "ant trail" that was inaccessible to kids and pets. That has always worked.

Answer 4

I would try a hedge apple. The use of the hedge apples for insect control is one of the most enduring pest management home remedies. Placement of hedge apples around the foundation or inside the basement is claimed to provide relief from cockroaches, spiders, boxelder bugs, crickets and ants. Make sure that your children do not eat these. They are poisonous. Check on the internet on where you can purchase a hedge apple. Most of the time they are found on nature trails and some people have them in there own back yard.

Answer 5

We have cats and a dog. We use a mixture of rubbing alcohol and peppermint essential oil. Last summer it worked very well. We sprayed it all up the siding, and where they were coming into the house, as well as where we could see the ant nest near the foundation.

Answer 6

your best bet would be some type of bait. they are in a container or in a tube of jell which can be injected into cracks or crevices and are out of reach of kids and pets. just make sure that you don't spray then use baits because a spray is going to be a repellant and may contaminate the bait making it useless. orkin has an all organic inside treatment program and free inspections also. 1888ORKINMAN. Free inspections also

Answer 7

There are organic sprays that you can use like Orange Guard. We sold it at the organic garden center I worked at and can be used around pets and children.

Answer 8

if this is a inear trail of ants from point a to point b inside the house....i can't help you. but if you are refering to anthills outside the house..use boiled water everyday. it works for me.it took 3 me weeks. and completely disappeared. at first the deeper layer just rebuild. but being constantly drowned in boiled water made the whole anthill moved location.i can't use chemicals because of my children.

Answer 9

Baby powder! The ants walk in it, it sticks to their legs and feet and it suffocates them.