Ant troubles, fortunately they aren’t fire ants or those crazy raspberry ants, these don’t seem to bite, or at least they don’t go out of their way to bite. These are smallish black ants, we leave them alone for the most part, but occasionally they wander into the house. They seem to like the dead moths that populate the house, the reason there are dead moths is because we keep the house open all the time, and at night the lights attract lots of moths. By the morning, the moths seem to be mostly dead. The ants then come in and remove the dead moths. Sounds like a good thing, except I know the ants will start looking for other goodies to eat, food crumbs, and such.
I have been dusting the doorway with cinnamon, and spraying Ivory soap water where ever the ants are coming in. The cinnamon works for about a day, then it loses it’s effectiveness, the soap works until it dries, which happens fast out here. I did a search for ant repellent, I found lots of home remedies, I found one that I had everything needed, yeast, molasses, and water. I made up a batch, put it in some jar lids and placed it in the ant’s path. So far, they seem to not like it, maybe I should paint it on the posts outside that are just under the door. I wonder if that would work? I guess we are just going to have to bite the bullet and get something from the store next time we are in town. I hate using poisons, I’ll see what the stores have…
7 Comments
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the texan said… -
sprinkle some borax around where they are coming in.
- the texan said…
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sprinkle some borax around where they are coming in.
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Wretha said… -
That is one idea, I’ll have to see if the store in town has any, it’s hit or miss with these stores. :) For what it’s worth, the spot where I placed the molasses and yeast mixture, the ants don’t seem to like it, and for now, have vacated that particular area. I’m going to move it around and see if it works elsewhere.
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lornkanaga said… -
I’ve never heard of using Borax, but that stuff does so many things, who knows (g).
What I use on the tiny ants are Orange Clean/Glow–I used Orange Glow on wood, and Orange Clean on everything else. Amazingly enough, it’s been two years since the last “invasion,” and I’m keeping my fingers crossed. For some reason, the tiny ants don’t like it, and when I spray the stuff directly on them they practically fizzle and melt. Unfortunately, that stuff doesn’t work on the regular-size ants and even when I spray it right on them it has to literally be sprayed into a puddle before the things stop.
You may want to try whole bay leaves. I’ve heard it’s a natural insect repellant that was used in ancient times to keep bugs out of stored goods (smells nice, too). A friend of mine has roach problems, and since she’s been placing bay leaves everywhere the roach population has greatly diminished.
Good luck!
TheMajor’sLady
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Wretha said…
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Thanks TheMajor’sLady, I suspect the orange cleaner does the same thing that the Ivory soap does, I know that soap kills bugs fast! Borax is a known insect killer, I have heard different things as to how it works, I’ll probably look for it next time I’m in town. The bay leaves are an ancient (grin) remedy, just ask any grandmother! :) I purchased many bottles of dried bay leaves before I moved out here just for that purpose, to keep the bugs out of my food. So far I haven’t had to use it, but I expect I’ll need to be breaking it out soon, before the bugs get started.
Wretha
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The Scavenger said… -
I have always heard the ants will not cross a line of flour. Give it a try and let us know.
Chris
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L Dew said… -
sugar ants and other small antlings will be deterred by coffee grounds!
:)
Lisa
p.s. i linked to you. I hope that is okay!
6 Responses
sugar ants and other small antlings will be deterred by coffee grounds!
:)
Lisa
p.s. i linked to you. I hope that is okay!
I have always heard the ants will not cross a line of flour. Give it a try and let us know.
Chris
Thanks TheMajor’sLady, I suspect the orange cleaner does the same thing that the Ivory soap does, I know that soap kills bugs fast! Borax is a known insect killer, I have heard different things as to how it works, I’ll probably look for it next time I’m in town. The bay leaves are an ancient (grin) remedy, just ask any grandmother! :) I purchased many bottles of dried bay leaves before I moved out here just for that purpose, to keep the bugs out of my food. So far I haven’t had to use it, but I expect I’ll need to be breaking it out soon, before the bugs get started.
Wretha
I’ve never heard of using Borax, but that stuff does so many things, who knows (g).
What I use on the tiny ants are Orange Clean/Glow–I used Orange Glow on wood, and Orange Clean on everything else. Amazingly enough, it’s been two years since the last “invasion,” and I’m keeping my fingers crossed. For some reason, the tiny ants don’t like it, and when I spray the stuff directly on them they practically fizzle and melt. Unfortunately, that stuff doesn’t work on the regular-size ants and even when I spray it right on them it has to literally be sprayed into a puddle before the things stop.
You may want to try whole bay leaves. I’ve heard it’s a natural insect repellant that was used in ancient times to keep bugs out of stored goods (smells nice, too). A friend of mine has roach problems, and since she’s been placing bay leaves everywhere the roach population has greatly diminished.
Good luck!
TheMajor’sLady
That is one idea, I’ll have to see if the store in town has any, it’s hit or miss with these stores. :) For what it’s worth, the spot where I placed the molasses and yeast mixture, the ants don’t seem to like it, and for now, have vacated that particular area. I’m going to move it around and see if it works elsewhere.
sprinkle some borax around where they are coming in.