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-   -   Need to get rid of ants. (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=347380)

  • Apr 28, 2009, 07:02 PM
    ckneedler
    Need to get rid of ants.
    I've got little black ants getting in the house. I noticed that they are pretty thick in my mulch bed. I sprayed some bug spray all around the base of the house and over the mulch bed, but they aren't seeming to go away. Any ideas of what else I can do? Any info is appreciated.

    Thanks!
  • Apr 29, 2009, 02:41 AM
    Catsmine
    Since you seem to have identified the source of the infestation, which is half the problem with ants, you now have two options.

    You can try killing them off yourself, for which I'd recommend using a granular bait product on the mulch beds, the smelliest spray you can find on the foundation wall, and lots of cleaning products inside that have ammonia or chlorine bleach as the main ingredient. The bait does the killing, the other stuff keeps them out while the bait goes to work. READ THE LABEL, as unAmerican as that sounds, it has info you need.

    Your other option is to hire a professional who will use that method or a "pass-along" spray containing a growth regulator to kill the queens. Killing the queens is the only effective method of controlling ants yet developed.
  • May 2, 2009, 01:09 AM
    gnahcd
    In addition to Catsmine's strategy, try to find the actual ant nest. Ants create chemical trails to their food sources and you can follow the ants back to their nest. You might have to rake up your mulch to find the nest. If you flood your garden, the worker ants will start to move their white grub babies out to higher ground. A nest might be originating from under a stepping stone or rock in your garden. Lift the rock and you are likely to find a network of ant tunnels. This is a good spot to direct an ant spray. For an organic treatment, if you find the nest, turn it with a shovel, and douse it with a few pots of boiling hot water.

    Some species of ants are a bit finicky on the bait they will accept. Some prefer sugary foods; some are grease feeders. You might have to buy a couple or a few different types of baits to get control.

    This is more difficult because of how small ants are, but sealing them out of your house can go a long way to keeping them from being a repeat nuisance.

    Lastly, for a little while at least, you are going to have to maintain a hospital like cleanliness to your kitchen. Take out the trash regularly.

    How to Get Rid of Black Ants is an excellent website for ant control

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