MovieChat Forums > General Discussion > ANTZ!

ANTZ!

posted 4 years ago by Catbookss (13664)
35 replies | jump to latest

Not the movie, real ones, invading my new home 😐

First they attacked the kitchen. I fought numerous rounds with the buggers over several weeks. I like ants in general and find them fascinating, but when they won't take a hint and start covering *everything*, this means WAR 😡

Finally I gave up using the non-toxic stuff, went to Home Depot and got some Hot Shot Ant Bait Traps for a couple of bucks. Put two down in the line of their trail, and waited. First they ignored them except for one or two brave souls. The next day though they were in them like college kids in the local In 'N Out Burger. Third day, gone! 🎉

Fourth day (today), they showed up on my desk, which is in my bed/sitting room, at the opposite end of the house 😐. Can't see where they're getting in -- not from any of the windows or the door. Can't trace their trail past my desk because the carpeting's this brown and off white low shag.

I've taken one of the kitchen traps, put it on my desk, and am hoping for the best. Which means the worst for them.

What do you do when you've got an ant invasion?

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[–] Stratego (29243) 4 years ago

Yes, they keep walking all over my table! I have no clue where they come from!

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[–] Catbookss (13664) 4 years ago

ARGH! 😬

WHAT HAVE YOU TRIED TO GET RID OF THEM?

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[–] Stratego (29243) 4 years ago

Nothing yet, I want to find out how they're getting in first.

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[–] Catbookss (13664) 4 years ago

Can you follow them off your table to see where they're going?

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[–] Stratego (29243) 4 years ago

I've tried, but I haven't been able to track them yet. I saw one just now!

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[–] Catbookss (13664) 4 years ago

Do you have those ant bait traps over in Holl... The Netherlands? The ones made with borax seem to be the least poisonous to us (and our critters) yet very effective on ants. Get some and put one on the table, then you don't have to worry about where they're getting in.

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[–] GlenEllyn (21078) 4 years ago

My worst experience with them was several years ago when I was still living in my previous house. One day I opened the drawer to my nightstand and there were ants everywhere! 🐜🐜🐜🐜 Freaked me out since I'd never had an ant problem before. I couldn't believe how many there were! I wouldn't have been quite so surprised if they'd been in the kitchen where there's food. But my nightstand? Why??

I cleaned everything out of there, vacuumed everywhere in the bedroom, and like you, put ant traps in several spots in that room. I also decided to keep a package or two of ant traps on hand just in case. One stray ant anywhere and out come the traps! 🐜

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[–] Catbookss (13664) 4 years ago

😱 NOW THERE ARE 5 OF THEM INSIDE MY SCREEN!!

Really, what's the deal? Why your nightstand?? I could even understand it if they were in the bathroom, looking for water, but a nightstand? Bored and they'd run out of reading material?

That's the thing. One stray 🐜 all by itself isn't a problem and could be overlooked. But, we know what's coming as a result of that one!

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[–] GlenEllyn (21078) 4 years ago

I'd like an explanation for why I find random crickets in my kitchen. Luckily, they've always been on the floor. Anywhere else and I'd be freaking out. But every so often, I walk into the kitchen to get something and GAH! There's a cricket just hanging out in the middle of the floor! NO! This is MY house and I didn't invite you in!! 🦗

Around here, they're black and ugly. Years ago, when we lived in AZ, we ended up with the occasional cricket or two inside the walls of our house. Drove me mad hearing them and knowing they were NOT outside. Finally got (now ex) husband to seal the cracks between the foundation and the siding so they couldn't get in. He didn't like crickets in the walls, either.

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[–] Catbookss (13664) 4 years ago

[deleted]

[–] ShogunofYonkers (71664) 4 years ago

Ortho makes a good sprayer product that if used around the outdoor foundation of your home should keep the bugs out (it is a poison though and I know you have a dog so use caution)

Borax around the 'trails' should knock them off inside your home and it's not a dangerous material

I've been getting large black ants lately and have been wiping them out this way

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[–] Catbookss (13664) 4 years ago

Thanks, Shogie, but I try to avoid all spraying of pesticides. Yeah, not only my pup, but me too.

So far these borax baits are working, but I may look at see if I can find some other non-human/canine toxic substance that will kak the ants. From what I've read, you've got to mix the borax with sugar or honey, or something attractive to them or they ignore it. ... Wait, have you been using the borax or the Ortho spray on those big black ants?

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[–] ShogunofYonkers (71664) 4 years ago

I bomb the foundation with Ortho to keep the ants out...truth be told I hate to use poison but it sure does work

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[–] Catbookss (13664) 4 years ago

Got it. Yep, but I'm looking for something that works and won't harm me or the pup.

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[–] GlenEllyn (21078) 4 years ago

Supposedly, ants do not like peppermint. You can try mixing peppermint extract with water and spraying it outside around the foundation, and around doors and windows. I think it's supposed to discourage them from trying to come in. Doesn't help if you've already been invaded, though.

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[–] Catbookss (13664) 4 years ago

I've heard that too, and citrus, and lavender, and tea tree oil. First I'll get them outta here, then maybe mix a tea tree oil concoction (since I have that already) and spray around the perimeter.

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[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

Oh. I was hoping it was the movie. I love that movie.

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[–] Catbookss (13664) 4 years ago

The only part I remember is when something falls on or somehow ruins the scent trail and the main ant freaks out 😄

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[–] NYJetsFan (148) 4 years ago

You should try to locate holes or cracks in walls or baseboards. If you can't figure out how they get in, then they probably already have a direct route into the house.

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[–] Catbookss (13664) 4 years ago

A direct route, that's what I'm afraid of. I don't see any cracks, but it's possible they've found a way in through a crack in the foundation near the walls and then through the baseboards.

The trap is working so far, thank god. This morning I couldn't sit at the desk without them crawling on me. Now I just keep an eye out for any that wander over from the trap area.

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[–] AndyKing1967 (33814) 4 years ago

We get 'ant season' every year at the end of April / beginning of May. I have some Ant Killer Powder that I put around the outer edge of the house. The ants think it's food, take it back to the colony and boom! No more ants!

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[–] Catbookss (13664) 4 years ago

Hmm, I'm missing a heck of a lot of notifications. Never saw this post. So, what's the name of this miracle ant killer powder? Same with the bait stations I bought: supposed to take it back to colony and everyone, including the queen, croaks after having a hearty meal. Except, the results have not been boom no more ants.

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[–] AndyKing1967 (33814) 4 years ago

Sorry to disappoint you, but I just went to Homebase and bought some generic own label stuff. It’s probably lasted about 5 years now. Same time every year, squirt it around the outside of the house like talcum power - job done.

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[–] Catbookss (13664) 4 years ago

They're back ☹️

The ones in the kitchen have returned. Not quite as bad as at first, but still on the sink, counters, and floors.

The ones in the bedroom and covering the desk are back in full force, crawling on me when they can.

I'm sick of this.

Safe suggestions?

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