STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

littlebean · Kate Spade

Getting Rid of Ants

alagirl · Kenneth Cole

I have used the Raid ant baits and they have worked for me in the past. I think there are 4 in a pack. I'd put one or two where you think they are coming in the house and then scatter the others somewhere in the vicinity.
Also, if you find any of their mounds outside in your yard, treating them with Orthene (white powder type stuff) will wax them.

Kelly · Hermes

I don't remember the brand, but I have ant traps that look like little upside-down domes and there are holes cut all around so the ants can get in. There might actually be a couple that do this - the poison stays in the ant long enough to get back to the ant hill, where he poisons all of the other ants (I think I got this right) so it happens quicker and easier for you.

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

Hands-down- - - Terro Ant Killer works inside and outside. The traps are safer to have around the house if you have kids or pets. The stuff in the bottle works awesome too, but you have to leave it more exposed. Totally take my word on this one. This stuff is so effective. The active ingredient is Borax and the EPA rates it as one of the safest products. I can't recommend it highly enough! Who knew ant killer could be so exciting?

Elle · Hermes

How timely this topic is!

We have ants too - those little black sugar ants

. They came in for our cat's food! We got some Terro indoor feed stations (they almost look like a little cheese 'n crackers container' and an outdoor spike station and they work great! The ants are supposed to eat the bait and then take it back to their colony the spread the poison around, and so far that seems to be what's happening. I think it's about $5 for the indoor feed stations, and about $7 for the outdoor spike feeder.

I've been seeing commercials on TV for an indoor/outdoor perimeter spray that's supposed to work good too, and it's totally safe for people and pets after it's dry. Says it gives up to a year of protection, depending on the pest. I'd maybe do the perimeter spray after you've killed most of the existing colony with the bait traps, myself.

-- Edited by Elle at 10:43, 2007-05-21

NCshopper · Hermes

I'll have to check this Terro stuff out too! We have sugar ants and they're driving me nuts! There's no food out and they keep crawling around the kitchen sink underneath the window. I spray them every day with 409 to kill the ones I see, but there's always more the next morning.

-- Edited by NCshopper at 06:56, 2007-05-22

littlebean · Kate Spade

Thanks so much for the suggestions, everyone. I'm going to go to the store and see what I can find!

Grace · Dooney & Bourke

Check all around the outside of your house and when you find their home, pour white distilled vinegar on it. You may have to do it a couple times but it works. Just know that the vinegar will kill grass/plants.

zeitgeist4 · Gucci

Cinnamon works well if you can find the spot where the ants are entering your house. Just sprinking it in the form a little semi circle to block their path around the entrance, and they won't walk over the cinnamon.