[Brinkley & Neyland's Mom]

We have ants in our kitchen!

They showed up around the window above the sink a couple of days ago...we bought some Raid ant traps to try and nip it before they got too bad. I have been SO busy this week, that I don't think about calling the exterminator until I get home and it is too late. Last night, they looked MUCH better, and I thought maybe the traps were working.

WELL, I came home tonight and the area around my sink is covered.

It was too late to call the exterminator again, and they don't work on Saturdays anyway. I will have to wait until Monday to even call them.

I looked online for some home remedies, but I had very little if any of their suggestions around the house. I tried vinegar, I did have some of that left over from Easter egg coloring.

Hubby borrowed some ant spray, we'll see if that helps any. All the stores were closed here. (small town) So we can't even go get more product until tomorrow.

SO, my question, after all that long-winded babble...is ....

Do you all have any suggestions of what has worked for you?

 

[dr.jaimie]

well i know there is a product for the yard called over and out...it is made with the same chemical as frontline so it is safe for ur pets. maybe treat the perimiter with that to kill them b4 they get inside? but i dont know

 

[k/c mom]

Originally posted by tlunn@Apr 15 2005, 10:36 PM

We have ants in our kitchen!

They showed up around the window above the sink a couple of days ago...we bought some Raid ant traps to try and nip it before they got too bad. I have been SO busy this week, that I don't think about calling the exterminator until I get home and it is too late. Last night, they looked MUCH better, and I thought maybe the traps were working.

WELL, I came home tonight and the area around my sink is covered.

It was too late to call the exterminator again, and they don't work on Saturdays anyway. I will have to wait until Monday to even call them. 

I looked online for some home remedies, but I had very little if any of their suggestions around the house. I tried vinegar, I did have some of that left over from Easter egg coloring.

Hubby borrowed some ant spray, we'll see if that helps any. All the stores were closed here. (small town) So we can't even go get more product until tomorrow.

SO, my question, after all that long-winded babble...is ....

Do you all have any suggestions of what has worked for you? 

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I had that problem a couple years ago. Ants were everywhere... I now have Terminix every 3 months and they spray outside only. They look for nests in the pine bark, etc. and I haven't had an ant since. Around here it is $75 for each visit but it is just 4 times a year. It really works and I like not having anything sprayed inside the house. Also, if I have any problems at all, they come right out at no extra charge. There was a wasps nest that I found and they were here within 15 minutes of my calling them.

 

[Brinkley & Neyland's Mom]

Yeah, we are on a quarterly contract with our pest control people, and they will come and spray in-between at no charge...but there is not an evening or weekend emergency number that I know of, and I don't know that tiny black ants in my kitchen would constitute and emergency call to them-although it would to me!

I was just talking to my sister, and although she is 3 states away, she is having the same problem-but hers is MUCH worse. She sounds like she has a mound/hill IN her kitchen. She got her spray people out there today. I could kick myself for forgetting to call mine-but it really slipped my mind until I got home every night. It has been a CRAZY week.

 

[saltymalty]

Combat Gold Ant Traps...Get them at Home Depot and put them every six inches along the "ant trails." Leave them down for a few days...you'll probably see more ants but that's ok. In about two to three days they'll be gone. We get ants every spring and these are the best thing out there. We have a pesticide service contract and the fellow that owns the company said these are the best to use for those little "sugar" ants. They are child and pet proof, although I wouldn't allow your pup to chew on one.

 

[020202]

As far as home remedies, I've always heard that if you put dishwashing soap in a spray bottle diluted equal parts with water and spray around their traveling paths, that will kill them. I don't know if that works or not, it's just something I've always heard for ants.

 

[doctorcathy]

i heard using a white chalk and making a boarder. something like that. like ants cant cross white chalk.

 

[MalteseJane]

We always use RAID House & Garden spray for inside and if there are some on the walls outside. When there is a mount outside in the grass we use something special for ants that we buy at Home Depot.

 

[Elegant]

Baby powder...baby powder.

~Elegant

 

[sheila2182]

Traci,I buy a product called TERRO,here you can buy it at the grocery store and I believe Ive gotton it at KMart or Walmart also. Let me tell you its the BEST thing I have EVER EVER found.It comes in a small bottle and the box has tabs that you put a few drops of the TERRO on.Set them in a couple spots by your sink. You will go back later and see a TON of ants eating it.You will notice in a day or two( the numbers get smaller every day),NO ANTS. If they come back another time ,just put the TERRO out.I keep it on hand all the time.It is the only thing I have ever found that gets rid of them.I cant rave enough about this stuff! But remember to check the tabs to see if they have eaten it all,if so just put some more of it on.

 

[Toby's Mom]

 

[k/c mom]

Originally posted by tlunn@Apr 15 2005, 10:49 PM
Yeah, we are on a quarterly contract with our pest control people, and they will come and spray in-between at no charge...but there is not an evening or weekend emergency number that I know of, and I don't know that tiny black ants in my kitchen would constitute and emergency call to them-although it would to me!

I was just talking to my sister, and although she is 3 states away, she is having the same problem-but hers is MUCH worse. She sounds like she has a mound/hill IN her kitchen. She got her spray people out there today. I could kick myself for forgetting to call mine-but it really slipped my mind until I got home every night. It has been a CRAZY week.

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Gosh, that is awful that you have a contract and still have all those ants... I agree... sounds like an emergency to me!

 

[Lilly521]

Oh the ants here are just unstopable!

You do mean the sugar ants are the ones in your kitchen though right? They are proubly in the sink just becuase there is water in it but also make sure you keep all your food in the fridge or in something airtight (like i put cookies and bread in the microwave while i am not using it for storage).

 

[Brinkley & Neyland's Mom]

Well, this morning I don't see any crawling..maybe the combo of all our trials warded them off...what I DON'T get, is that they are coming in from the window that it actually in our carport-so they must be under the house.

We have a vent that goes under the house right there, so I may have the "bug-man" spray under there really well. We have some stuff for the yard to treat it for ants, fleas, etc. We just haven't put it out yet. Hopefully that will help future probs-but that won't get them off my cabinet right now. -_-

They haven't made it up into my pantry area yet. My bread and stuff is in another cabinet across the kitchen. They shouldn't bother that.

I am glad that others are/have had this problem. It sounds like maybe it is a problem everywhere as spring arrives. These are just the little sugar ants...and they are just around my window and sink-they haven't traveled off that area to the stove/dishwasher etc. It could be worse. It COULD be roaches, spiders, or head lice...then I might have to burn my house down!

I read several of your home remedies online. The talcum powder line was on there...I actually never thought about them getting "worse" before they got better with the traps and bait.

Maybe that is what I was seeing last night when they were everywhere. The word had gotten out that about the yummy stuff in those traps.

Even if that was the case...YUCK! I can't stand just leaving them alone. :new_Eyecrazy: They drive me nuts.

Thanks for your tips. Hubby suggested I call the pest people in the office in the next town over. I know ours is closed on the weekend, but that one might be open, and they might send someone. Just gotta wait another hour or so.

 

[Holliberry]

I am at my wits end too with these stupid ants! They are in the same place, around my sink. I was wondering if they werent coming for dog food but none seem to be heading towards her bowls. We tried those ant trap things and they didnt do a thing. We used to have terminex come but I really wanted to avoid that too, if I could. I called my dad because he has a remedy he swears by. Its called Borax soap laundry booster or something, and he said to trail it around where they are coming. They supposedly eat it and trail it back to their nests and it kills them. I sprinkled it behind my sink and although at first I didnt think it was working because I'd still find one or two around. Now that I think about it, it took about 3 days, but I am at the second day no ants.

I'm still not totally sold on it, but if I see another one I am going to try these remedies. I especially like the ones that nothing is able to get in the house. I am a freak when it comes to bugs

 

[carrie]

Originally posted by tlunn@Apr 16 2005, 08:59 AM
I am glad that others are/have had this problem.  It sounds like maybe it is a problem everywhere as spring arrives.  These are just the little sugar ants...and they are just around my window and sink-they haven't traveled off that area to the stove/dishwasher etc.  It could be worse.  It COULD be roaches, spiders, or head lice...then I might have to burn my house down! 

 

that made me giggle....

 

[Brinkley & Neyland's Mom]

Originally posted by Holliberry@Apr 16 2005, 09:21 AM
I am at my wits end too with these stupid ants!  They are in the same place, around my sink.  I was wondering if they werent coming for dog food but none seem to be heading towards her bowls.  We tried those ant trap things and they didnt do a thing.    We used to have terminex come but I really wanted to avoid that too, if I could.  I called my dad because he has a remedy he swears by.  Its called Borax soap laundry booster or something, and he said to trail it around where they are coming.  They supposedly eat it and trail it back to their nests and it kills them.  I sprinkled it behind my sink and although at first I didnt think it was working because I'd still find one or two around.  Now that I think about it, it took about 3 days, but I am at the second day no ants. 

I'm still not totally sold on it, but if I see another one I am going to try these remedies.  I especially like the ones that nothing is able to get in the house.  I am a freak when it comes to bugs 

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I saw the Borax remedy online too...you find it in the laundry section of stores like Walmart. 20 mule team Borax is what it is called I think. I may buy some to keep on hand too. I also may try some of the Terro stuff that Sheila mentioned.

 

[sheila2182]

Terro link
Traci,here is a link to the Terro,great stuff ALWAYS works ! Very cheap..I believe I pay under $2.00,and a bottle lasts forever.

 

[puppylucy]

yuck, in our old house we got those baaaad in the kitchen

luckily we don't here; i guess cuz we live in a condo.

ANYWAYS. if you just wanna wipe them all out for a few hours, spray them all w/windex.. it works really well. more come eventually, but at least you have peace of mind for a little while.

i wish i could offer more help but i cant

good luck w/ the exterminator

 

[Holliberry]

#(@*%(#@ I am loooooosing!!!

So, we were at lowes last night and got some of this Terro stuff

It has borax in it, but the soap itself doesnt seem to be working, but I didnt put alot. Just curious if you have gotten anywhere Traci?

I went to the site Sheila linked and this is interesting since I'm always worried about what if Phoebe would get into it somehow :

Question:

I accidentally stepped on one of the ant traps. How toxic is this bait and will this exposure harm me? What if my cat or
dog gets into the bait and eats some?

Answer:

TERRO® Liquid Ant Bait is a sweet food based product similar to pancake
syrup combined with Borax. Borax is a mineral that is mined in the desert
in California and is a common active ingredient that is used in soap
products such as 20 Mule Team Borax.

The product kills ants but will not harm people or pets. If you spill some
on your skin there will be no reaction at all. Simply wash with warm water.

Pets occasionally find the Terro and eat it. Our advice when this happens
is to do nothing at all. The product is not toxic enough to cause a problem
and the pet will be just fine.