Ant problems: what can I do to get rid of the pests?

Question

I live in NE Ohio and we've been hit with rain almost everyday lately.  Ants are a nuisance and need to rid front room of them.

I've tried ant baits, ant & roach insect killer sprays, and even boric acid.  
The room has a big picture window in it.  The front of the house is where this room is located and under the window is several large shrubs.  I just purchased the house a year ago.  I moved into the house in May 2015.  We never had one problem besides spiders in the house.

I have 2 dogs which are crated in the room.  So I have to be able to use pet friendly insecticides.  The house is on a concrete slab with no evidence of cracks per housing inspector last year.

What can I do to rid my home of these nasty things?

Thanks.

Hiro Miyamoto · Answer

Hi,

I would suggest trying to find the ants nest and when you find it put boiling water down it.

I am also in a similar position to you. I bought a flat in London a year ago and found random ants walking through the flat this year. I have pets so I wanted a natural way to destroy or deter them. So far the above has proved effective.

I also put a combination of bicarbonate of soda and icing sugar on the entry points where I believe the ants are coming in. The ants cannot differentiate between the soda and icing sugar and nibble agway at it and explode. This did decrease the ants coming in too.

Hope it helps and you solve the problem quickly!

Charlene · Answer

I live in Canada and I had the same issue. I happen to be in our local China town and a store owner in one of the shops I went into, told me about chalk. He sold me chalk that he told me to put on the floor, close to the baseboard where I was having the problem. I must admit that I was skeptical about it but it worked. when the ants ate it or walked over it,, they died. I had dead ants for about 3 days and then nothing ever again. If I see an ant, , I just lay the chalk again and voila, no ants. it's really amazing stuff. ask your local hardware store if they have it. Good luck.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

For a non toxic approach you can try using garlic gloves outside the window. For inside since ant baits etc. have not worked try making a solution of dish soap,olive oil to a quart of water in a spray bottle.Spray around the window,baseboards and anywhere else you think they may be entering your home.

PENNY · Answer

Cinnamon is a great way to rid ants from pantries, counter, etc. and safe. Sprinkle around anywhere you have ants.

Deanna.Turetski · Answer

Cinnamon works inside and outside. I have also used cornmeal sprinkled outside wherever I see ants. Boiling water into ant hills.

Lois Franklin · Answer

I use cornmeal - sprinkle on nest, they carry it to the queen and it kills everything. Works on fire ants too.

UteK · Answer

Several methods have worked for me: 
1. Take the garbage out more frequently and make sure there are no food crumbs around. We had a whole ant colony convoy in California whenever the garbage was in the kitchen long enough for them to smell it. No garbage, no ants.
2. I second the boiling water if you know where the nest is that they are coming from. I used that method to get rid of ear wigs. They were a real nuisance at our place in Minneapolis. At first, the thought sounded cruel to me, but then I realized that it is both the fastest and therefore most humane, plus it's not toxic and other critters don't get sick from eating the victims of my wrath...
3. If you know where they are coming in, cayenne pepper works really well at repelling them. We used that successfully in California, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

Chef M · Answer

Cornstarch mixed with sugar ants cannot digest they take this to the queen so many queens per nest.

MN Mom · Answer

It depends on what kind of ants they are. Sugar ants that are attracted to food are eliminated differently than carpenter ants that like to eat wood. I've had good luck with both situation by pouring boiling water on the anthill/source of the ants.  Baiting ants by setting out additional foods (oils, garlic, seems counterproductive. If you're into using a chemical, Raid Ant Stop will kill them immediately and diazinon works quickly too. Just don't let your pets in the area while you're treating the ants.

Neloh · Answer

Spray Home Defense on the exterior of your foundation. Wipe down interior spots where the ants have tread with white vinegar. Crushed bay leaves over that trail of white vinegar. There are many approaches! Cornmeal, Borax, cinnamon, etc. Borax is not toxic to animals and works like the cornmeal.

Sue Kiene · Answer

I agree with the Borax. I usually mix it half and half with confectionary sugar and put it on their hills outside.

Carey B. Hall · Answer

I HAVE ANT PROBLEMS.. I USED BLUE CHALK AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE ROOM. THIS WORKED WONDERS.. HAVE NOT SEEN THEM SINCE PUTTING BLUE CHALK ON FLOOR...

Chas' Crazy Creations · Answer

Here's a post that might help - https://chascrazycreations.com/keep-pests-out-of-your-garden/

Ant problems: what can I do to get rid of the pests?

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Ant problems: what can I do to get rid of the pests?

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