lab fairy

Ants are a real problem. It really helps to know what kind of ant you have. Not all baits and/or poisons work on all types. For those of you that are worried about pesticides, try using diatomaceous earth. It cuts the exoskelaton of insects and other pests. You can get it anywhere there are pool suppliers, garden centers, etc.

To find the best solution for your infestation, you need to use a piece of clear tape to capture a couple ants, take it to someone (not a Home Depot or Lowes) that sells pesticides (we use one that sells to professionals but will sell to the public, they just don't advertise that part a lot). They can tell you what kind of ant you actually have and what the treatment the options are that they would recommend. They will tell you what is safe to use around your animals and children. Where you live makes a big difference in these matters (climate can be a big factor). Then, the decision to go the organic or chemical route is up to you (most carry both kinds of treatments now).

At our house, we use boric acid for some of the little buggers, baits for carpenter ants, diatomaceous earth as a general deterrent. It seems like a never ending story. Our are gets very few freezes and the bugs thrive.

littlehud

We have been having a problem with the little ants too. I'm worried about what to use. We have the new little puppy and the cats. I don't want them to get sick.

Pam

When we were living in the South we had a huge problem with fire ants! Nasty, nasty creatures that bite, sitings like, you guessed it, fire.

I took perverse pleasure in getting rid of the ones in my yard organically. You need 2 fast people and 2 shovels. Dig out a shovel full of dirt and ants from both hills at the same time and run and dump them in the other hill. It creates an ant war, they kill each other off. Works great.

QBeth

I love it! Your solution put a big grin on my face. See? __ :-D__

Melinda in Tulsa

I have this problem every year too. One day, in the spring, they just come in. I use spray but it doesn't really help, except to kill the ones already there. Then one day a couple months later, all of a sudden they just leave. Don't like it but so far have learned to live with it. I have to keep anything but canned goods in the fridge or freezer. Happens every year.

sharon b

I love it and can't anymore organic than that :thumbup: :lol:

illinois

The ants were getting into the bowl of dry catfood. A website suggested that the bowl be put into something containing water, essentially creating a moat that the ants can't cross. I sat it on a shallow saucer, put a little water in the saucer and, by golly, that works! Kitty no longer battles ants for her food.

littlehud

What a great idea. I'm trying that til I can get rid of these little buggers.

Shibori

we are having the same problem because of all the rain.

Bettia

Marsye,
I think from your picture that yours probably ride motor cycles.

We used to get army ants that went from our garage to our barn. We used Diazonon (sp) and it got rid of them.
Now, when I am camping and there are ants, I take table salt and sprinkle a pretty good line around my camp site. I heard that they won't cross the line of salt. It seemed to work.