On 2006-09-18, Derek Mark Edding wrote:
Hi Folks,

They're back, and they keep coming. Into our kitchen. We've been
waging war on them for eleven years and counting. This year the ants
are winning big.

We've eliminated every food source but our dishwasher, which they get
into regardless how closed it is. So we either need to wash every dish
the moment we're done using it, or watch a small parade of critters
going by every day. Even if there's nothing in the dishwasher, they're
always scouting around for overlooked crumbs or drips.

The last thing that worked was a liquid Ant Bait called Terro. It
seemed great because you just put a drop of it where they can find it,
and they hungrily slurp it up.

Unfortunately, it doesn't stop them from coming anymore. So either it's
killing them and there's an endless supply of ants, or it's only making
them stronger these days.

The plastic ant bait traps aren't having any effect. We've bought all
of the latest ones by Raid, Black Flag, Combat, etc. - they just walk
right past, don't even hesitate. I even tried putting little drops of
honey inside to lure them in - no sale. Jelly didn't work either.

Spreading boric acid powder around makes it look like you've taken up an
expensive hobby in the kitchen, but doesn't deter the ants. I don't see
them walking through it, but they always find a way around.

Sealing up the holes they come through no longer works. They come in
from the gap underneath our cabinets. I've wandered all through our
crawl space with a flashlight, but did not see any ant trails nor
anthills. I've looked all around the outside of the foundation and
didn't see them. Maybe they're inside the walls, I've got no clue.

I also spread some pesticide around the foundation of our house inside
and out using a hand spreader. It was a granular mix for ants and
termites. Used twice the recommended amount. This didn't faze them.

I can't think of anything else to try, other than calling some dude that
has a big plastic bug on his car roof to come out here and spray a lot.
Anyone know something that works, that I've overlooked?

Gracias,

-dreq

I think they are using the internal piers of the foundation and not the
perimeter. They may have the colony around or near some of them.
We had this problem a few summers back and spraying the piers did it for
me. I could not find an entry point either. I think they got access
from a seam in the driveway that comes up to the corner of the house. I
never saw them there but once. I think they had setup colonies and did
not need access after that. I originally thought they were coming from
the ceiling, but I drowned the attic in spray before doing the piers.

I suggest totoal global attack with a liquid home pesticide. I use
Ortho. You may need two of the gallon jugs. Definitely one whole
gallon. They come with a built in sprayer now that gives you a nice
stream of the stuff. Make it a stream not a spray.

Spray the foundation outside where the siding meets the bricks.
Spray the foundation where it meets the ground. Make sure you get under
any leaves or plastic used for mulch.
Spray under the crawl space also at ground/brick level and where floor
joists hit the brick.

Spray all the inner piers supporting the house at the ground and at
joist as well. Spray all the pipes and the ductwork.

Spray all the baseboards in house especially every room where you have
them.

Spray all the attic perimeter from the inside, spray all pipes you see
in the attic.

Perhaps a couple of those insect bombs in the crawlspace and the attic
as well.

All this will cost you say 50 bucks at most. If it does not work then
maybe you will have to go the route of encasing the house.

Good luck.
--
Wes Dukes (wdukes.pobox@com) Swap the . and the @ to email me please.

is a garbage address.