The warm winter and record breaking wet weather along the mountains here has cause an unprecidented explosion in ant population in Rosedale/Agassiz 🙁
I've found several non-toxic recipes (we have cats) for ridding them, but I can't get them to take the bait.
According to my research, most ants like sugary stuff, syrup or sugar water and to a lesser extent, food fats. Well, these guys don't like either
They are little red fellas 5-7mm long and aren't really attacking anything, not the woodwork or food or us, they are just *there*. Their mandibles aren't "pinching" or sharp like most other ant species I've seen out here, they look rather large and clumsy, like for carrying (Google is kind of useless for BC ant species). They also run from light.
Oddly enough, the only thing I've seen them gnaw on is a power cord 😕
(Gah! Typical animal in the house.... chewing on the power cords!)
Any advice would be appreciated.
I've found several non-toxic recipes (we have cats) for ridding them, but I can't get them to take the bait.
According to my research, most ants like sugary stuff, syrup or sugar water and to a lesser extent, food fats. Well, these guys don't like either
They are little red fellas 5-7mm long and aren't really attacking anything, not the woodwork or food or us, they are just *there*. Their mandibles aren't "pinching" or sharp like most other ant species I've seen out here, they look rather large and clumsy, like for carrying (Google is kind of useless for BC ant species). They also run from light.
Oddly enough, the only thing I've seen them gnaw on is a power cord 😕
(Gah! Typical animal in the house.... chewing on the power cords!)
Any advice would be appreciated.
Usually, the way to get rid of ants is to spray insecticide along the very bottom of the outside of the house, right at the meeting point of the dirt and the house.
I suppose you can keep your cats inside for a day or two, if you are worried about toxicity. Most insecticides smell bad, though, I doubt your cats will be interested once you let them out.
I suppose you can keep your cats inside for a day or two, if you are worried about toxicity. Most insecticides smell bad, though, I doubt your cats will be interested once you let them out.
I'm watching one play with an ant right now. Takes forever to kill it. Just keeps pushing it around. I don't think he knows there are others if that one stops moving.
Dab something the cat likes to eat on the ant's back. Like that leftover hot dog ........
Yum, yum.
-Chris
Yum, yum.
-Chris
OK I dabbed the ant like you said but...
I guess I dabbed too hard. The ant's not moving anymore, cat got bored and left.
I guess I dabbed too hard. The ant's not moving anymore, cat got bored and left.
Hi Cal,
Try another ant.
Conversely, cover the cat in something the ants like and the cat will then be interested in the ants. 😉 Hmmmm, then of course you have to attempt to wash the cat. Take a video.
-Chris
Try another ant.
Conversely, cover the cat in something the ants like and the cat will then be interested in the ants. 😉 Hmmmm, then of course you have to attempt to wash the cat. Take a video.
-Chris
Cal Weldon said:
They are ignoring the traps 🙁
But the tape idea is a good one. I'll try it.
Same result here 😀
Ant traps ain't worth a damn. Hit or miss.
If worse comes to worse, try the same remedy as for cockroaches.
Boric acid.
Cheap, effective, and have gotten rid of ants with it. Takes a couple of weeks, though.
Same process as cockroaches. The ants drag it back to their nest, then it poisons the rest of the invading army. Try it. But be prepared to wait for a couple of weeks to see results.
If worse comes to worse, try the same remedy as for cockroaches.
Boric acid.
Cheap, effective, and have gotten rid of ants with it. Takes a couple of weeks, though.
Same process as cockroaches. The ants drag it back to their nest, then it poisons the rest of the invading army. Try it. But be prepared to wait for a couple of weeks to see results.
Indeed I will bring out the heavy artillery for around the outside of the house (our kitties are indoor only) if the trap doesn't work in a couple of weeks.
Don't think cats can help here... other than "pinkpanther".😀
He stomps on them, one by one in tune and step with the music, saying "dead-ant, dead-ant, dead-ant-dead-ant-dead-ant"
He stomps on them, one by one in tune and step with the music, saying "dead-ant, dead-ant, dead-ant-dead-ant-dead-ant"
Hi Geek,
I use Boric acid, or Black Flag ant killer drops (that stuff works fast - kills the queen). A small red sqeeze bottle from Canadian Tire.
Good luck.
-Chris
I use Boric acid, or Black Flag ant killer drops (that stuff works fast - kills the queen). A small red sqeeze bottle from Canadian Tire.
Good luck.
-Chris
do you think they could be a type of carpenter ant?
http://www.doyourownpestcontrol.com/carp.htm
I have seen them in red or black of about 5-7mm.
If it is carpenter ants, they aren't too bad to deal with. They are nocturnal and do not live in mounds.
Hey, feel lucky being in Canada, you don't have to content with fire ants.😀 They can eat you up before you even realize you are standing on the mound.
Fun to torment with firecrackers though.
Of course, you could be in Austrailia...they have some really nice ants there....bullldog, jackjumpers and such.
Or the Siafu of Africa
http://www.doyourownpestcontrol.com/
http://www.doyourownpestcontrol.com/carp.htm
I have seen them in red or black of about 5-7mm.
If it is carpenter ants, they aren't too bad to deal with. They are nocturnal and do not live in mounds.
Hey, feel lucky being in Canada, you don't have to content with fire ants.😀 They can eat you up before you even realize you are standing on the mound.
Fun to torment with firecrackers though. Of course, you could be in Austrailia...they have some really nice ants there....bullldog, jackjumpers and such.
Or the Siafu of Africa
http://www.doyourownpestcontrol.com/
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