Happylittlegreensquirrel Posted April 14, 2009 Report Share Posted April 14, 2009 I have an invasion of Ants in my halllway , so far I have swept them with a soft brush outside ( I like Ants ) but I would really like to keep them outside does anyone have any non poisonous methods or tips for getting them to bugger off else where Ta Sam "Ant farm" Squirrel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
one.eyed.dog Posted April 14, 2009 Report Share Posted April 14, 2009 If you don't poison them you'll never get rid. They were coming up through the kitchen floor last year so, as the builders were in anyway they re screed the floor. This filled in all the gaps. They still got in. Ant power is the only thing that shifts them. I just make sure I don't put it where the dog can lick it. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackmagic Posted April 14, 2009 Report Share Posted April 14, 2009 Thee are some suggestions here http://www.gomestic.com/Gardening/Six-Natu...epellants.38570 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReikiAnge Posted April 14, 2009 Report Share Posted April 14, 2009 Sam, I've read that coffee deters them - but you'd need to put it somewhere that the dogs/cats couldn't get at it if they're likely to, so don't know if that's any help. I've used it before and we've also tried putting tape down on the bits they've come in - not great to look at but in an old cottage there are various ways in! You could also try asking them to leave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz Posted April 14, 2009 Report Share Posted April 14, 2009 ive heard they hate vinegar so pour a line of that across the doorways etc I knew there was something im allergic to, flying ant bites! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spins4me Posted April 14, 2009 Report Share Posted April 14, 2009 I use diatomaceous earth which I also use to worm the dogs - so two jobs in one if the dogs eat it! Available from omlet.co.uk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndwoman Posted April 14, 2009 Report Share Posted April 14, 2009 Feed them Sam! I know it sounds silly but they are coming in to collect food to take back to the nest to feed the Queen Try and roughly locate where they are coming from, you don't need to be too accurate and sprinkle some sugar (a few tblsp)and that should keep them out of the house. Just put more sweet stuff out about once weekly. I laughed when I was told to do this when I had a problem about 10 years ago and I have never had a problem since. You may get the odd rogue ant but you wont have loads of them. Every Spring when I notice them getting active I get the sugar out and stop it before they come into the house Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happylittlegreensquirrel Posted April 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2009 Thanks everyone I am going to pop some sugar outside now as I am pretty sure I know where they are coming in from I knew people here would have fab ideas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cycas Posted April 14, 2009 Report Share Posted April 14, 2009 If you find they have actually set up home somewhere inconvenient, try watering them. Ants like it dry, they won't stay in damp places. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 my grandad used to draw a thick chalk line in the doorway, dont know if it ever worked as i was very young, but he swore by it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happylittlegreensquirrel Posted April 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 well so far no more ants inside the house, I did have look at some of them having a party in the sugar pile earlier and predict by the end of the day they will all be diabetic but they seemed happy enough so all good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranirottie Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 my mum always used to put a saucer of jam sprinkled with sugar down in the garden and we never had ants come in.x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackmagic Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 If you want to find the nest, just follow the ants going back to it. There is usually a trail marching to the food and another very busy trail taking it back to the nest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owl Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 The watering works. We had a red ants' nest under the doorstep and it wasn't really a problem until the late great Mojo decided to dig it out. Loads of ants ran up and hid in his coat and bit him, and he was very upset so went and hid in my bed under the duvet. Ants then ran out into my bed - lovely We poured water under the doorstep and they moved, all carrying eggs and babies. I felt sorry we had disturbed them in the first place, but once the damage was done we couldn't really let them rebuild there otherwise the same thing would have happened again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndwoman Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 well so far no more ants inside the house, I did have look at some of them having a party in the sugar pile earlier and predict by the end of the day they will all be diabetic but they seemed happy enough so all good Pleased to hear that Bet they think they have died and gone to ant heaven with all that grub my mum always used to put a saucer of jam sprinkled with sugar down in the garden and we never had ants come in.x I'm glad someone else can confirm that it works and that I am not totally mad (please ignore my signature-it is only a joke-honest) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts