My mom is having a terrible ant problem in her kitchen for about 3 weeks now, we put all food away at night, and she has tried just about everything shes herd of to get rid of them including: chalk, borax, bleach, ant traps, hot shot max atracks roach and ant killer powder. Is there any thing else we can try before we have to call the exterminator? THANKS!
2007-09-12 18:52:06 · 10 answers · asked by Feeln' myself 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
Sugar ants like the ones you get in the kitchen are quite frustrating to get rid of but one bait that worked awesome for me was Terro poison.
http://www.terro.com/
Get the liquid bait stations from Walgreens or home centers and place two or three out on the ant trails and watch them for a week or so...replace as they fill up with dead ants. Baits are the best way to deal with them--- if they are effective--- as the ants will take the bait back to the nest and feed it to the workers and queen and kill them in the nest. Ants have a survival method called "budding" where if the colony feels alarmed or threatened, they will start a new colony with a new queen somewhere else and start all over, so watch for them elsewhere if the bait stops them in the kitchen. My sister went round and round with home methods and exterminators will no luck for several months until she used the Terro---no ants after a week. We learned a lot about ant behavior from that experience. Caulking any openings or killing the foragers or using vinegar on the trails does nothing...they will find another way in...bait is the best...it's usually borax and honey type mixture which we tried to make ourselves but was not as effective as the Terro product.
2007-09-12 19:10:12 · answer #1 · answered by paul h 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have just the thing for you.
Go the Wal-Mart that's where I went or other places that carry bug spray items. What I bought (brother told me about this) was an outdoor and indoor spray that I think was about a gal. container with a small hose pump attached. Sorry, can't remember the name, but don't think you'll have a problem finding.
Pump first then aim and shoot. It comes out in a straight line so you can get a better aim.
What I did, was I started on outside of our house, around the foundation just before foundation hits the ground. Didn't take long at all. Went around entire outside of house. Then went inside and did the same thing.
Don't worry about carpeting or baseboards. It will not hurt.
It's also pet friendly, so no worry there either.
Since I was on a roll, went back outside and did the same around our rap around deck. Don't forget door ways. Also did lower level (living quarters/basement). Little buggers get everywhere.
The stuff is a miracle ant killer. Even got a bonus with the stuff. No more "daddy long legs" or other spiders out on the deck. Could finally sit out there and not worry. Hate spiders!
You will make your mother very happy. She'll give you a big hug and a kiss thrown in.
It's so simple and it's something that actually works. Don't know where the little buggers are coming from, they just appear
Haven't had problems last two years only because we have had drought conditions. A lot of rain would be nice. Still glad where I live, North Wood of Wisc.
Don't even have to say Good Luck, because it's going to work. Look for Pest Control in garden section.
2007-09-12 19:36:58 · answer #2 · answered by Eagles Fly 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please check best answers [ or even "ant" questions in the last 3 months]
I've given extensive explanation
Basically you have to stop using the contact killer
Watch and follow the trails
Use ant baits that kill the colony [Raid and/or Hot Shot]
place in the trail ways
You can Google "ant control" and get extensive info from reputable sites
For the small kitchen ants [sugar, grease, Pharaoh, Argentine, etc. I find that the Hot Shot Max Attrax Baits have a better attractant than the Raid.
With your situation purchase both in the event one appeals more than the other.
You might also purchase an ant gel [Combat - comes in a syringe]
All three will effectively kill the colony, which is your goal.
It's merely a matter of which compounds used to lure the ants to feed is effective for this particular variety and infestation.
It will vary throughout the year.
Everything else you've used is ineffective.
I live in FL and we [residents] get ants of different types every year.
My advice has never failed to work for me or the neighbors that also follow.
But those that don't ..... you should hear their excuses and inventions.
2007-09-12 19:16:56 · answer #3 · answered by B C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. Clean up the surfaces and seal any sort of food substances. 2. Follow the ants to see where they are entering and exiting. 3. Use regular chalk to draw a thick line between the food source and their home. Make sure they can't go around the end of the chalk line. There is some chemical in the chalk that they won't walk on. 4. Leave the chalk there for a month or so until they find a happier hunting ground.
2016-05-18 03:33:31 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
BEST THING to use is Peppermint Oil. Just clean everything up and whipe down your counters with it. They absolutely hate it and it leaves your kitchen smelling nice.
2007-09-13 05:17:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Find where the little buggers are coming from and block there entry, you could also use ant sand or even flour, they don't like walking through it.
GOODLUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2007-09-12 19:02:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Cinnamon - according to my mom.
2007-09-12 19:00:18 · answer #7 · answered by Clarkbar 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
spray them and where ever they are coming in from with windex or 409 it will kill them and clean your kitchen
2007-09-12 19:01:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
just put all the kichen syuff in a room and make sure that the kichen is empty.
2007-09-12 18:58:46 · answer #9 · answered by **.Melody.** 3 · 0⤊ 5⤋
sexually assault the queen ant
2007-09-12 18:59:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋