We have had an ant or 2 in the past, but today I found a whole bunch of them in the kids room, YUCK! I got squished the ones I could see and cleaned as well as I could, but am not crazy about spraying stuff where my kids are. We don't let them eat any place but the kitchen or dining room (the kids not the ants:), so I know it is not a food issue. Any home remidies or less toxic ideas are welcome! Even the toxic ones in case the others just dont work for me.Thanks!
Sprinkle a packet of EQUAL sweetener around the ants....they carry it back to their colony and it kills the whole colony....there is something in it that is poisonous to them....just pick up a packet or two at the gas station next time you are in there.....something else that works is vinager, dish soap and water mixture and spray it on them.
Juli
When I moved into my new home we had the same problem. Here is what i have done.
Use Terro (many other people have told you about it)
Powdered Chalk - put this all around the outside base of your home. I have heard that ants don't like to cross over it, it might burn there feet. (don't know if that is true or not)
Cinnamn - ants don't like the smell of it so they will not go around it.
You can uses this if you do not have any animals I have poored bleach around the foundation of my home because it will kill the ants before they even get into the home. Just make sure that they are not stray animals that can get to it when you do use it though.
I have had good luck with Comet kitchen cleanser. I sprinkle a small line of it along where they are walking and leave it down for a day. I was told that is sticks to the ants feet and they track it back to the nest. It goes into their system through their feet and is poisonous to them. Clean up is easy, just wipe up. Hope that helps.
Use Mint oil. It is a neurotoxin to the ants and kills them, and not harmful to pets or children. I found it at Farm and Fleet, closest one around here is Oswego (I think), but you might be able to find the Mint spray at Menards or Home Depot.
Good Luck
E.
I have also had good success with Terro. This contains borax as the killing agent - which is supposed to be harmless to people and pets. (check out terro.com for more info)
After using the dab on a piece of cardboard for a long time, I found they carry a product called "liquid ant baits" which are little "houses" with the liquid inside. The ants can crawl in and out, but it is not as easy for kids/pets to get to. Much easier!
Don't get discouraged, you will likely see an increase in the number of ants for a day or two before they all get killed off!
Good luck!
Hi J. ~ I had the same problem and I was told that if you use GROUND CINNAMON ~ not the Cinnamon Sugar and you sprinkle it around windows and doorways it will keep them away ~ they hate the smell of cinnamon. We did it herer and I've never had ants after that! Good Luck!
Hi J.,
We lived in a 1950s ranch and had a big problem after we first moved in. The front screened door had a gap under it so we got swarms of them in our kitchen that was close to the front door. All I did and it worked instantly was buy ant traps. They are those little off white plastic things with chemicals in the inside. Since I had toddlers at the time, I put them out of reach on high up shelves near the sink and under the fridge. In you kids room, you could put them in their closet - that is if you have little ones like I do. I have a toy kitchen in front of their closet door in their bedroom right now to keep them from making a mess in their closet - so you could always use ant traps in their closet. I'm sure the ants would find them. I see other posts of cinamon and other non toxic things - I would try that too - because you could try that in the windows and other areas that the kids can reach and that would be safe for them. Good luck!
I use a thing called TERRO. It just takes a little dab on a small piece of paper or cardboard. It's so small it is easy to conceal so the lil ones dont get in it. Place it where the ants are, they walk through it, eat it and take it back with them...then The ants will be gone overnight!
When I was a little girl, back in the 60's and 70's, my mom used to sprinkle baking soda on the floor in the kitchen by the back door. The ants would not cross the line. I also found info in a book that I have, "Heloise from A to Z An Indispensable Home Reference Guide by America's Most Trusted Household-Hints Advisor", (also given to me by my mom). It says to sprinkle boric acid or borax powder along the ant trails and entrances. Keep crumbs vacuumed and any other ant "treats" wiped up so you don't attract more. Hope that helps.
