Argentine ants and other invasive ants.

[Hill]

It was a profound moment for me upon reading this account because it emphasizes a connection to the living world that is lost upon many more "civilized" cultures.

Boric acid is only slightly more toxic than salt, so I don't worry about its effect. I only use pyrethrin sprays as a last resort, and generally only on pavement or "hard" surfaces. The can I have, I've had for 3 or more years and it's still about 2/3 full. I use no herbicides or other insecticides. I hate the stuff. But when I've been fighting a losing battle for over a week, and when the ants are spreading and no longer responding to anything, I resort to nuking - after concentrating their hordes first. I'm hoping that the outdoor boric acid/sugar traps will head off any more invasions for the immediate future.

It is really amazing to go into a hardware store and see a long aisle full of all sorts of poisons and other remedies. And of course TV and radio ads really push the stuff as an easy solution to all pests. It really frightens me to see the rate at which pesticides are used both commercially and by J Q Public.

Maybe this discussion can generate some more winning tactics on the battle with these critters. Nothing would make me happier than to never have to resort to pyrethrin again.

[freeztar]

I should follow up my other post and state that I'm certainly not innocent.
Believe it or not, my car was recently infested with ants.

I had parked in a dirt area with nearby anthills. I opened my door upon returning to my car and there was a trail of ants running along the bottom seam of my door. It wasn't one or two ants, but a non-interrupted two-way stream. I think most people would have freaked out at this point, but I started my investigation.

They were entering into the engine compartment from the area where the door hinges. I opened the hood and could not locate any ants. It seems that they were going in between the metal separating the engine from the console. I followed them the other way and they disappeared into the rear of the chassis. I opened my trunk and found some crumbs which several ants were feasting upon. I cleaned the crumbs, wiped down the entire back area, and sprayed the entire trail of ants visible with a clove-oil based insecticide.

The next day, they were back.
I continued spraying for a few days and they disappeared completely. I still wonder if I have a mound of dirt weaving through my engine wall.

I don't like the chemicals either and I applaud you, Hill (and others), for seeking gentler methods.

[freeztar]

Originally Posted by Hill

Maybe this discussion can generate some more winning tactics on the battle with these critters. Nothing would make me happier than to never have to resort to pyrethrin again.

I use pyrethrin when I go out for field work with my job. Ticks are a common occurrence when you are bushwhacking and surveying and several people I work with have become sick from tick bites. I've tried several alternatives, but still get stuck with ticks. Pyrethrin works well for ticks and chiggars. For ants, I would recommend trying the clove oil based insecticide (I think Raid makes one). It kills on contact and is relatively non-toxic.

[Cedars]

Originally Posted by Hill

It is really amazing to go into a hardware store and see a long aisle full of all sorts of poisons and other remedies. And of course TV and radio ads really push the stuff as an easy solution to all pests. It really frightens me to see the rate at which pesticides are used both commercially and by J Q Public.

Maybe this discussion can generate some more winning tactics on the battle with these critters. Nothing would make me happier than to never have to resort to pyrethrin again.

I think alot of people resort to the poison first without giving a thought to other effects, and this thread just triggered (for me) an opportunity to point out (without accusing anyone of a misdeed) some unintended effects.

About 15 years ago (maybe longer) during some clean up of the back yard we inadvertently moved an old rotted log that apparently was a food source for a large colony of black ants. They began to roam around the house ALOT. We found the nest about 6 feet east of the former log, and about 10 feet north of the house.

We used water and digging to destroy this colony. Dig a bit and flood. About 2 feet down the ant tunnels got very wide. Some were almost an inch across . The deeper our hole got, the more water it would hold. It took about 4 days to finish off this colony. We did not dig much more than 2 feet.

Maybe you can find the source of your colony by using the food thingy outside and following the trail. I would suggest picking up the food at night to try to ensure you have a chance to find the source. There is the potential that they have found some place within your foundation or walls to set up shop and you wouldnt be able to use the flooding to ease the problem. But you would be closer to determining exactly where your focus should be.

[Ganoderma]

because our house is made of concrete and brick i tried fire. i have LOTS of 95% ethanol alcohol on hand so i loaded a pump sprayer half and half with water. the ants have worked their way in one of our walls and out the other side! so i figured tehre are 2 holes for air so i wont get and explosion type stuff. i sprayed a bunch in there and gave it a light. no more nest in tehre and no ants to be seen as of yet (a few days later)!

very destructive and dangerous...but i felt damn good! and no chemical residues!

fun ended when wife came home