Ants

[Nan]

It's that time of year again, unfortunately. With the lovely warmer
weather comes the black ants.
We didn't get them last year, so that was a welcome reprieve.

I am looking for a 'non-toxic to humans and pets' method of dealing
with them. I saw over the weekend that the commercial ant baits
contain arsenic (yikes!) and boric acid, neither of which I want
around the toddler and the kitty.

I'd love something that will eradicate the little nasties, but will
settle for a repellant of some type, if that is all I can have. We
don't drink brewed coffee, so coffee grounds are out of the question.
We also live in a very old home and I wouldn't even want to think of
how many cracks and crevices may be allowing them in.
It's usually a short-lived problem, so I don't want to do a massive
amount of work to deal with them.

Any ideas? Recipes for bait that will kill them, or repellant ideas?

TIA!

Nan

[Phisherman]

On Mon, 10 Apr 2006 17:58:07 GMT, Nan <nobodys@home.com> wrote:

>It's that time of year again, unfortunately. With the lovely warmer
>weather comes the black ants.
>We didn't get them last year, so that was a welcome reprieve.
>
>I am looking for a 'non-toxic to humans and pets' method of dealing
>with them. I saw over the weekend that the commercial ant baits
>contain arsenic (yikes!) and boric acid, neither of which I want
>around the toddler and the kitty.
>
>I'd love something that will eradicate the little nasties, but will
>settle for a repellant of some type, if that is all I can have. We
>don't drink brewed coffee, so coffee grounds are out of the question.
>We also live in a very old home and I wouldn't even want to think of
>how many cracks and crevices may be allowing them in.
>It's usually a short-lived problem, so I don't want to do a massive
>amount of work to deal with them.
>
>Any ideas? Recipes for bait that will kill them, or repellant ideas?
>
>TIA!
>
>Nan

Nan, You can try camphor, clove oil, tansy, spearmint, or pulverized
eggshells inside the house. Around the house foundation you can
create a barrier with agricultural lime, bonemeal, or powered
charcoal. Ants don't like to cross a chalk line. Plants that repel
ants include mint, lavender, chives, rosemary and garlic.

[Gayle]

"Nan" <nobodys@home.com> wrote in message
news:jaal3257f8h6g3fo221lmah3nkk2ca0snj@4ax.com...
> It's that time of year again, unfortunately. With the lovely warmer
> weather comes the black ants.
> We didn't get them last year, so that was a welcome reprieve.
>
> I am looking for a 'non-toxic to humans and pets' method of dealing
> with them. I saw over the weekend that the commercial ant baits
> contain arsenic (yikes!) and boric acid, neither of which I want
> around the toddler and the kitty.

I found this on the net a few years ago. I generally add a few drops to the
solutions I use to wipe my counters and floors. I also add a few drops to
some water in a spray bottle and spray the entrance-ways, inside and out.The
odor removes the scent trails that the ants follow. This also leaves a nice
scent behind and is not a problem with the dog and cats that run my house.

Herbal Insect Repellent

8 drops Cedarwood essential oil
5 drops Eucalyptus essential oil
4 drops Lavender essential oil
2 drops Neroli essential oil
2 drops Lemon essential oil
1 drop Peppermint essential oil
1 drop Cinnamon essential oil
1 drop Clove essential oil

For a refreshing change from the scent of citronella, try the above mixed
into two ounces of carrier oil.

AVOID CONTACT WITH EYES.


Gayle

[Sawney Beane]

Nan wrote:

>
> I am looking for a 'non-toxic to humans and pets' method of dealing
> with them. I saw over the weekend that the commercial ant baits
> contain arsenic (yikes!) and boric acid, neither of which I want
> around the toddler and the kitty.

6 mg of arsenic could kill a toddler. It would take about a teaspoon of
borax. (Table salt is also toxic. Babies have died from salt
accidentally added to formula.)

>
> I'd love something that will eradicate the little nasties, but will
> settle for a repellant of some type, if that is all I can have. We
> don't drink brewed coffee, so coffee grounds are out of the question.
> We also live in a very old home and I wouldn't even want to think of
> how many cracks and crevices may be allowing them in.

Borax can be used to repel ants. Dissolve a little in water and apply
to cracks with a paint brush.

> It's usually a short-lived problem, so I don't want to do a massive
> amount of work to deal with them.
>
> Any ideas? Recipes for bait that will kill them, or repellant ideas?
>

1/8 teaspoon borax in 1 tablespoon sugar. Add few drops of water and
heat to make a syrup. Keep it away from the toddler so you won't have
to make more.

If the ants like sugar, a few drops will kill a colony. There won't be
enough borax in a drop to harm a child or kitten. I like to put it on
pieces of cardboard. When the ants find it they'll form a line, and you
replenish the refreshment for several days until they stop coming.

[Mrs Bonk]

Nan wrote:
> It's that time of year again, unfortunately. With the lovely warmer
> weather comes the black ants.
> We didn't get them last year, so that was a welcome reprieve.
>
> I am looking for a 'non-toxic to humans and pets' method of dealing
> with them. I saw over the weekend that the commercial ant baits
> contain arsenic (yikes!) and boric acid, neither of which I want
> around the toddler and the kitty.
>
> I'd love something that will eradicate the little nasties, but will
> settle for a repellant of some type, if that is all I can have. We
> don't drink brewed coffee, so coffee grounds are out of the question.
> We also live in a very old home and I wouldn't even want to think of
> how many cracks and crevices may be allowing them in.
> It's usually a short-lived problem, so I don't want to do a massive
> amount of work to deal with them.
>
> Any ideas? Recipes for bait that will kill them, or repellant ideas?

I can understand you not wanting poisons put down with a dear sweet kitten
about. I do so love kittens. I had one once but sadly it got run over on its
first trip out of the house.
Have you thought about a humane trap adapted for ants? That would suit
perfectly, no poisons and ant friendly. I am sure Gary could come up with
some contraption made from a matchbox I daresay. Once the ants have been
collected and removed to a nearby field they will all soon get the message
and leave the area where they are not wanted.
I read a book about ants not long ago. It was very interesting, they are
clever little things and could probably wipe us out if they had half a mind
to. Maybe one day they will.