Ants again

Hi, I have been reading the many posts regarding ants here at G C. At the moment (just appeared Monday) I have them in my kitchen. They appear at night mostly when the lights are off and when you switch on there they are ..even on the worktops. (wife not overjoyed) I think they are coming from my conservatory area and travelling under a wooden floor. These are a small black type. I have had a constant battle with them for many years around the patio with moderate success. There is a well established colony here, and the end product is a massive exodus of flying ants. I have tried a well know brand of ant trap with bait but the ants did not seem to use it at all. We use lemon Flas* for both floors. I read, here, that spraying with a lemon based cleaner is effective so I will be digging out my garden sprayer. Today war is declared.
PS: has anyone got rid of the little blighters completely

 

Not sure if this will help, but a friend of mine had an ant problem for a few years and finally put a bowl of sugared water outside, just far enough down her garden to get them away from her house. It worked and they don't come into her house now. Anythings worth a try. Good luck!

 

I will try your Lavender mix Marley Farley. I don't mind them in the garden area as a bit of digging usually makes them give up and move on. thanks
The reason they were on the worktop was a open packet of chocolate coated peanuts. I like the ants find them quite dilicious. So I will also try the sugared water Pixie just to keep them out of the house. thanks

 

I have them In the greenhouse, I discovered, when I planted out some lettuce plants last weekend. Do they do much damage?

 

My Sister In Law had a big problem last year with Ants,they were coming from under the floor boards,they were Everywhere.We Tried everything.We tried Traps,Powder,I lifted her carpets and sealed all the gaps in the floors ,and still they came. they were on the furniture,they were on the floors,they were on the Curtains they were in her bed and the windows were covered with winged ants . As she is partially sighted,she could not see them, so the problem did not disrupt her too much.
In Frustration We called in an Ant Exterminator who did Eradicate them.
The exterminator found a huge colony of Ants under her living room floor.
We Hope This Year ,NO MORE ANTS.

 

I don't think they do much damage Ariadae, but they can be a nuisance and they encourage aphids which are a real prob if left untreated. Come on ye Shrews.( supporter) I have sprayed with lemon based cleaner around skirtings and any gaps and it has made a difference very few last night. My wife got bitten by one a few years ago...in rather sunless area..while gardening..she made a full recovery but I was left a bit traumertised.
I feel once you have a big colony you need some good stuff to shift them as you may stop the adults but more young may be hatching. Not too sure about their life cycle.

 

I normally build a big bonfire on top of their anthill, but their are some locations where this method is unsuitable and the anthill needs to be dug out and wheelbarrowed to the blazing fire. The advantage of this method is the clay soil they use to construct their hills gets broken down by the burning process.

 

Update. Still a few in the kitchen but not many. I am trying a sugar and poison mix at the moment in my conservatory. Lots of ants feeding 3 days ago but only about 12 this morning. They are supposed to take the mix back to the Lavae and stop the chain. I will know more in a few days. Google/ ant poison and there it was Borax. I bought 500g of eba*. Harmful to pets. Old ladies ...not sure yet.
I came here many years ago with a lot of nests in my lawn and a member suggested pressing the nest down with your foot and a repeat next day. It worked perfectly and I still use this to this day.

 

Just found a couple of ants in our lounge again. They seem to come in through the patio doors. I sprayed all outside with Raid insect killer about 10 days ago but the rain washed it away. I also sprayed across the carpet inside the patio doors and ended up with a headache - I forgot it was quite toxic so not using it inside again.

I will try your lavender and bicarb Marley. Hope it won't damage the carpet.
how much lavender oil do I need to use and where is the best place to get it?

I also read that ants don't like scented talcum powder - that could be worth a try and we could put up with it all over the carpet for a while if it does the trick.


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I have an Aerosol names Dethlac which I keep in reserve, just in case we get Ants in the house.
It puts a sticky surface on hard surfaces (sills, vents, steps etc) which kills the Ants.
I would urge caustion where there are toddlers. Its supposed to be safe once it's dried - but I wouldn't want to risk it.
I tend to use it into vents and on the outside step, ledges etc and hope it doesn't rain for a while.