Any advice for ants?

Shorty2U · ‎03-09-2010

Well this is a first, never had this issue before.

I am seeing tiny ants here and there on our kitchen counter the past 2 days. Oh I even had 2 or 3 crawl on me. (and then I was itchy all night). Why? Do they like my perfume? lol.

I was looking online and saw info on all kinds of things to use. Someone told me to try vinegar which I did, to no avail.

(And everything is clean, no food is exposed. and no ants got in any of our food) I use a lot of lock and lock (coincidentally).

My issue is we have 2 cats, 1 of whom is over a year old and tries to get in my cleaning bucket and I have to make sure no clothing detergent spills or yes he tries to lick these things! We even close our bathroom doors to make sure he doesnt get in there after cleaning w comet.

So I have to be very careful as to what to use. What about ant traps? Are they dangerous to our cat? Any advice will be appreciated.

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make~ The Beatles

Noel7 · ‎03-09-2010

@Shorty2U

Traps are dangerous for pets. Ants usually don't come in for food, they come in a house when there is rain or hot weather.

Years ago I read that ants send scouts and then they follow in a trail which is marked by their scent. Find how they get into your house and then get rid of their trail. It will take a couple of tries using a cleanser.

There are cleansers safe for your pets, look for them online, which will tell you the brand name, or look in your stores.

We had a problem years ago and I was so desperate, I sprayed where they were getting in with perfume/cologne. It worked like a charm.

Good luck!

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

I've recently had some ants after never in my life having them before. I found is recipe somewhere on line and am going to try it as soon as I can get the ingredients together.

To Kill Ants

You can mix a bait consisting of two tablespoons each of peanut butter and jelly, mixed with a tablespoon of boric acid. Place the bait on pieces of paper, so it doesn’t make a mess, and put it where you see the ants foraging. Keep out of the reach of kids and pets. Boric acid isn’t dangerous, but could give a child or a pet a stomach ache. If you don’t want to make your own bait, get some Terro Bait. It comes with six plastic bait stations in a box. Each station contains a sweet gel bait with boric acid.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

Big Sister · ‎05-15-2010

Some years ago I had an ant problem in my house. Someone recommended Terro. It is a thick liquid; you would put a drop or two on a piece of cardboard and set it down where the ants are coming in from.

They will take the "bait" and go back to the nest and the other ants will die.

I haven't had a recurrence in many years.

I don't know if Terro would be safe near your pets.

Noel7 · ‎03-09-2010

I just googled "Is Terro safe for pets" and the answer from several sources was NO.

Pook · ‎03-20-2010

I don't remember where I heard this but I sprinkle salt on any ants on my counter and they run. I often leave salt sprinkled in areas where I have seen ants for a few days but it seems to work. I don't mind the salt on the counter athough some might. If I leave the salt for a few days before cleaning it off, they stay away and when after about a month I might notice one or two ants I sprinkle salt again and now finally no more ants. I also wipe my counter with vinegar water and it was a deterent but this year it didn't seem to work well.

KathyPet · ‎03-09-2010

My advice for ants is to run very fast when they see someone with a spray can in their hand.

Nataliesgramma · ‎03-28-2015

I get ants every spring in my kitchen around the sink.

Wash the counters well and don't let dishes sit in the sink...

I agree about using Borax. I brush a little in any crack I see around my sink and set out oe or two of those little plastic traps. I don't use Terro....I use Amdro that I got at Walmart.( Terro does work though) I'll put the traps under things , like the toaster oven.....

It takes about a week before they are completely gone. It is hard NOT to kill any around the borax.....but remember that they need to get in it and go back to the nest