vegan response to an ant problem (long)

[Guest guest]

I agree with Scott's chalk advice--stay away! It's manufactured in

countries that have even more relaxed insecticide laws than our own

and is potentially harmful to humans and most definitely to companion

animals.

 

Here's an exhaustive list of what I've done:

 

Get your caulking gun ready! Caulk every place they come in or might

come in. When you find they have discovered a new entrance, get

right on it. If you are lucky enough to find where they are entering

from the outside, caulk it first. Caulkin is an absolute necessity

for getting rid of ants!

 

Use a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water or Simple Green and water

and wipe the areas they've made trails in.

 

Sweep a couple times a day and if they are going after water, wipe

sinks/showers dry after use. If you have companion animals, set

their food and water bowls into a larger shallow dish that has some

water in it with a drop of soap (the soap breaks the surface tension,

otherwise they'll walk on water!).

 

If there are ANY open containers of food in your kitchen, put it in

the freezer or fridge. Ants can spiral up the threads of a jar top

with no problem and have even gotten in Ziploc bags, so the fridge is

the best option. Never leave dirty dishes and scrub down all your

appliances well.

 

Use borax powder in places children and animals can't get to and

sprinkle diatomaceous earth (available at some gardening shops) in

accessible places.

 

I have read that ants release a strong chemical signal when killed

which acts as an attractant to other ants(don't know if this is true

or not), so if you end up smooshing one, you might want to spritz it

with Simple Green (which ants detest) when removing the ant.

 

If you are diligent with all the above steps, most ant problems will

go away. I have had the occasional infestation that the above

couldn't handle, and I have resorted to bait traps. If you have to

do that, be prepared to try a couple different brands, since not all

ants like the same bait.

 

Hope this helps!

 

Nicole

 

 

 

SFBAVeg , Scott Weintraub <terra33@e...> wrote:

> The best method of getting rid of ants is to caulk any places where

> they enter your home. That chalk that you are referring to is

highly

> toxic to anything that comes near it, including humans, and I would

> highly recommend avoiding it at all costs.

>

> Ants are annoying in the house, but are not evil. In fact, ants

> compete with termites keeping both populations in check, and

serving

> an ecological purpose. The best techniques involve letting them

live

> where they pose no bother to humans and blocking their entrance

into

> our comfort zones.

>

> For some less-toxic management tips go to

> http://www.recyclenow.org/less-toxic/#ants and follow the link to

the

> PDF. If all else fails, go for the pet anteater before resorting

to

> the insecticidal chalk.

>

> -Scott