Advice on using ant baits - Update post#10

LVSteve

LVSteve

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Came back from Dallas to find an ant invasion in the master bath. This a repeat from about four years ago when we had cold weather. I set out two Raid ant baits of their major route a couple of days ago and the results have been interesting.

First, they started hammering the bait and carrying it off back to their entry point. After about half a day a lot of dead ones turned up in the bath and shower and activity dropped right off.

Today, they are back with a vengeance. I set out another bait just for luck and I am awaiting results. I am assuming that the first wave of scouts that took the bait back to the nest have died, so the #2 crew has been dispatched.

Has anybody else noticed this surging effect on ant colonies when using any baits.
 
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Try spreading dry yard insecticide on the ground around the perimeter of your foundation. If you think you found their entrance point, spray all around the area with a good insecticide. Lots safer and easier than fighting them inside. Works very well for me. Good luck.
 
If those ants are anything like our large black carpenter ants I'd hire an exterminator. The integrity of your house's frame is at stake.

It is no substitute for an exterminator but you can kill a lot of ants by mixing powdered Boraxo soap and powdered sugar then shaking the bag to sugar coat the soap so that they will carry it home. You could also fence in a flock of chickens around your house. A long time ago I put out ant baits in my apartment. As I recall they thinned out then just quit coming.
 
We get the tiny "Acrobat Ants" and put out the liquid poison. We keep putting it out until they stop coming to eat it. When they first find it, there is a feeding frenzy where a drop the size of a dime will be gone in a few hours.
 
LVSteve said:
Came back from Dallas to find an ant invasion in the master bath. This a repeat from about four years ago when we had cold weather. I set out two Raid ant baits of their major route a couple of days ago and the results have been interesting.

First, they started hammering the bait and carrying it off back to their entry point. After about half a day a lot of dead ones turned up in the bath and shower and activity dropped right off.

Today, they are back with a vengeance. I set out another bait just for luck and I am awaiting results. I am assuming that the first wave of scouts that took the bait back to the nest have died, so the #2 crew has been dispatched.

Has anybody else noticed this surging effect on ant colonies when using any baits.
Click to expand...
Yes, Steve we had a pretty good invasion mid-Spring with the larger black ants---not the big carpenter ants. They discovered a small puddle of maple syrup that spilled in the back of a lower kitchen cabinet, at the back exterior wall of our house. Man those things were everywhere!

I bought an 8-pack of those plastic ant bait things and put about 5 of them in that particular cabinet after cleaning up the syrup. I put a couple more in the cabinet next to it (the one under the sink) for insurance. I also did what Snuffy suggested and hosed they're trail outside (it was pretty evident) and the probable entry point with liquid insect killer.

It took a couple weeks----and yes we got a second wave when the colony realized they're peeps were missing. Remember, there are THOUSANDS in that colony's nest probably. Give it time and leave your bait pods alone, they will go away!! And for added insurance, just leave your bait where it is for insurance. I would not pitch them when the attack seems over because they may come back.
 
Yep, the eggs hatch and you get a second wave of reinforcements.

My advice: fire ants you kill the mound with Amdro bait. For the (old style) little black or new 'crazy ants' as they're called, you use the liquid bait and just leave it out until the reinforcements are also gone. Meanwhile, get some concentrated liquid ant killer, dilute it in a gallon sprayer, and spray the entire perimeter of the house about three feet up and three feet out plus the window and door frames plus any cracks. Oh, and remove the food source.
 
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Buy an aardvark or a pangolin or an anteater.

Seriously, I had an ant issue a couple of weeks ago, but as soon as I bought poison, they left before I put any out. I have it here in case they come back.
 
Aloha,

A Suggestion is to get Guinea fowl.

They will eat any and all bugs in your yard.

Ant baits will work too.

Also, spreading diatomaceous earth will kill any and All bugs

with an exoskeleton.

This includes Spiders and roaches.

DE is also edible by humans and pets.

Just do Not get any in eyes or inhale it.
 
I have discovered that the ants I have are Odorous House Ants, or some close relative. Now a bunch of them are dead, the bathroom smells a bit nasty.:eek::(
 
If you use Grant's Ant Stakes, don't forget to put a drop of water in the hole and swish it around - it's in the instructions.

Works a treat!

I use 409, same stuff you clean with.

Spray 'em down, wipe 'em up, kills the scent trail too. Non toxic to humans as a bonus!

I feel like the Dad in My Big Fat Greek Wedding with the Windex when I use the 409. :)
 
In Central Ohio, we get ants inside in the dryest season (usually around late July). The ants are thirsty and looking for water and find it and all kinds of food in houses. I had apartments for 40 some years, and the best system I found was the dry insecticide around the building, spray something strong outside, but spray something baby safe inside. Most of the effective insecticides are neuro toxins and not good for our systems. I ended up using an organic powder called Diatomatious earth. Fine white powder that takes a few days but kills all hard shelled bugs! (even bed bugs!). as of a few years ago, Ace hardware had "food grade" 5 pound bags available. I had it in 50 pound bags for the swimming pool filters. I started leaving a fine coat on the floor under the stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, washer and dryer before new move ins. It never wears out or goes bad. Cotrols fleas, bed bugs, ant and roaches too! and cheap!

Ivan
 
I had one outbreak after I moved into my new house. I used the Taro brand ant baits. It was a mess of dead ants for a few days, but haven't had an ant for several years. They came recommended from the folks at the local home center.
 
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