on 6/2/2009
Situation: New York City roof terrace.Ants: were limited to a few pots for year, now are everywhereSolution: I hear they are good for the plants, but how to keep them away from the deck tables and chairs?Your suggestions appreciated.
on 5/9/2009
5/09/2009 Black pepper works the best I have kept ants away for years like that cucumbers sometimes work but black pepper is the best make sure you change it once every other day it burns their feelers.
on 3/14/2009
There are some natural commercial products out there that you might try: http://www.simplenaturalsolutions.com/ant-killers-are-toxic-and-dont-work-well/
on 3/8/2009
How does cinnamon work? I have animals to look out for, but I guess I can try a few baits because they can't really get into those. I want to know as many of the organic methods as possible so I can use them all like crazy. Has any one heard of using corn meal, is that the same as grits? What does boric acid do? I want to discourage them from trying to get in the house, I don't have them there but I also want to kill the ones in the yard and stop more from coming in. What is the baby powder doing? Is it talc or cornstarch? Is it supposed to be a finely ground mineral thing like the way DE works? I see alot mentioned about bay leaves, I use them in my cabinets, I wonder if making a tea would keep them away from certain areas? Maybe I will try it on my feet when I go to weed. I've got to get rid of these buggers, I can't go in my yard, I am so allergic to them, I'll tear my skin
on 3/7/2009
Well, I've got ants that consider Terro the breakfast of champions! LOL I have been setting baits for 3 weeks now and they just keep coming back for more. But terro always worked in the past. Also this week tried spraying entry ways with bug spray and also vinegar on table/counters. Today I resorted to vacuuming them up. I guess I'll try the pepper or cinnamon. : )
on 3/2/2009
Step 8: also, cinnamon works well. I had an ant problem a while back: we found the major food source, and cleaned that up, then poured cinnamon around all the holes we found them crawling around in, and they were gone!
on 12/3/2008
I dislike resorting to poisons, but an over-the-top ant invasion this summer left me no choice. After buying and trying several brands, I came across "Terro Liquid Ant Baits". Worked like a charm. I haven't seen nary an ant since they gobbled up every ounce of that product.
on 10/8/2008
Good advice. Sugar ants have a nest that is dependent upon the queen. Using the bait mix you describe will eliminate the nest by killing the queen.
on 10/8/2008
ASK THEM to leave - works like a charm. Be sure to emphasis what will happen to them if they do not leave certain areas for human use only. Express this kindly but in a firm manner. The rest of your property they can quietly inhabit. (Complete eviction is unfair as your neighbours will get an enhanced problem - and start doing inexcusable things like pouring boiling water over ant hills)
on 3/12/2008
Dear Friends:
Every single time I water my front lawn, these terrible ants come out like gang busters.
Please advise on what I should do to get rid of them naturally.
signed,
Goodness Gracious!!!
on 3/6/2008
The whole bay leaves sounds like a good remedy for ants, I have Ants In My Plants and I suppose this would work. I wonder though, if white pepper would be a bad idea for people with ants in their home and pets that sniff everything.
on 10/17/2007
If you mix baking soda and icing sugar in about a 50/50 mix you can usually get rid of most ants.
The icing sugar attracts the ants. When they eat the powder, the baking soda reacts in their bodies and they explode/die.
I sometimes vary the mixture and put more baking soda if the ants are in a concentrated spot. If you want to bring more ants from all over, use more icing sugar.
The easiest thing to do is mix it into a jar so you can store it somewhere. This way you can also easily shake the container each time to ensure that the mixture hasn't settled!
on 10/1/2007
The best way to get rid of ants! Go to your local feed store or home improvement store and purchase a 20lb bag of LIME. This is a fine powder, so be careful as you pour the lime into a spreader. Be sure a cover your entire lawn.. Ants hate it and they will move. The lime with last all year long. And its good for your lawn also.
Post this comment to my Facebook Profile
acetracy said
on 6/2/2009 Situation: New York City roof terrace.Ants: were limited to a few pots for year, now are everywhereSolution: I hear they are good for the plants, but how to keep them away from the deck tables and chairs?Your suggestions appreciated.
tammie82 said
on 5/9/2009 5/09/2009 Black pepper works the best I have kept ants away for years like that cucumbers sometimes work but black pepper is the best make sure you change it once every other day it burns their feelers.
akindle said
on 3/14/2009 There are some natural commercial products out there that you might try: http://www.simplenaturalsolutions.com/ant-killers-are-toxic-and-dont-work-well/
diygal said
on 3/8/2009 How does cinnamon work? I have animals to look out for, but I guess I can try a few baits because they can't really get into those. I want to know as many of the organic methods as possible so I can use them all like crazy. Has any one heard of using corn meal, is that the same as grits? What does boric acid do? I want to discourage them from trying to get in the house, I don't have them there but I also want to kill the ones in the yard and stop more from coming in. What is the baby powder doing? Is it talc or cornstarch? Is it supposed to be a finely ground mineral thing like the way DE works? I see alot mentioned about bay leaves, I use them in my cabinets, I wonder if making a tea would keep them away from certain areas? Maybe I will try it on my feet when I go to weed. I've got to get rid of these buggers, I can't go in my yard, I am so allergic to them, I'll tear my skin
lisayoungblood said
on 3/7/2009 Well, I've got ants that consider Terro the breakfast of champions! LOL I have been setting baits for 3 weeks now and they just keep coming back for more. But terro always worked in the past. Also this week tried spraying entry ways with bug spray and also vinegar on table/counters. Today I resorted to vacuuming them up. I guess I'll try the pepper or cinnamon. : )
chambermaid said
on 3/2/2009 Step 8: also, cinnamon works well. I had an ant problem a while back: we found the major food source, and cleaned that up, then poured cinnamon around all the holes we found them crawling around in, and they were gone!
Louis Lim said
on 2/19/2009 this is really helpful, i like your article. keep it up
Matab said
on 12/26/2008 pour boiling water on ants? I'm sorry, but that is just CRUEL... Ants are the most hardworking little insects
Kadith said
on 12/3/2008 I dislike resorting to poisons, but an over-the-top ant invasion this summer left me no choice. After buying and trying several brands, I came across "Terro Liquid Ant Baits". Worked like a charm. I haven't seen nary an ant since they gobbled up every ounce of that product.
rmiller said
on 10/8/2008 Good advice. Sugar ants have a nest that is dependent upon the queen. Using the bait mix you describe will eliminate the nest by killing the queen.
electraglide said
on 10/8/2008 ASK THEM to leave - works like a charm. Be sure to emphasis what will happen to them if they do not leave certain areas for human use only. Express this kindly but in a firm manner. The rest of your property they can quietly inhabit. (Complete eviction is unfair as your neighbours will get an enhanced problem - and start doing inexcusable things like pouring boiling water over ant hills)
mmerlin300 said
on 3/12/2008 Dear Friends:
Every single time I water my front lawn, these terrible ants come out like gang busters.
Please advise on what I should do to get rid of them naturally.
signed,
Goodness Gracious!!!
Dkhillman said
on 3/6/2008 The whole bay leaves sounds like a good remedy for ants, I have Ants In My Plants and I suppose this would work. I wonder though, if white pepper would be a bad idea for people with ants in their home and pets that sniff everything.
listerineman said
on 10/17/2007 If you mix baking soda and icing sugar in about a 50/50 mix you can usually get rid of most ants.
The icing sugar attracts the ants. When they eat the powder, the baking soda reacts in their bodies and they explode/die.
I sometimes vary the mixture and put more baking soda if the ants are in a concentrated spot. If you want to bring more ants from all over, use more icing sugar.
The easiest thing to do is mix it into a jar so you can store it somewhere. This way you can also easily shake the container each time to ensure that the mixture hasn't settled!
katt99 said
on 10/1/2007 The best way to get rid of ants! Go to your local feed store or home improvement store and purchase a 20lb bag of LIME. This is a fine powder, so be careful as you pour the lime into a spreader. Be sure a cover your entire lawn.. Ants hate it and they will move. The lime with last all year long. And its good for your lawn also.