Ants

[starone]

My garden is being taken over by ants. I have tried boiling water and ant spray killer and stamping on them and screaming go away, but to no avail. As fast as I kill one lot another lot takes their place. They are quite small and their nest seems to be in holes in the path and they add something that looks like sand. I tried sweeping it away but that didn't succeed either. Any suggestions?

[rockyracoon]

I'm interested in any answers, my gardens is over run with ants nests, they've ruined my lawn.

[Barmaid]

Even my chickens can't keep on top of the ants we have. They are absolutely everywhere. Every day, without fail, boiling water is my only suggestion.

Sorry Starbuck, but I laughed at the "screaming go away".

[rockyracoon]

Thinking about it now, I'm sure I read somewhere that white vinegar kills them, I've only got malt indoors, wonder if that will work.Apparenly white vinegar can cure everything!

[Duncer]

Star, I had a very similar problem and the little burgers exited from the spaces between my slabs. I suspect the "sand" is the after product of what they do to the earth below?

I bought cheap washing up liquid and zapped them with that as the ant killing products were largely a waste of money. I also watch out for the flying ones returning to the nest late July and early August and crush them. I haven't totally eradicated them but their numbers are greatly down.

[JRB]

I have the same problem and yesterday the ants made a concerted effort to take over the sitting room through gaps in the window. Ant spray dealt with that but we almost had to wear masks in the evening to cope with the smell. Ants are ready to take over the world - help!!

[mccfluff]

get murphy the wonder cat and stalker

she even has her own cape

[gsr600]

Doesn't anyone here use ant powder, alright till it rains - makes a nice white patch

[haggisbasher]

I would recommend "Dethlac" to protect your house. It drives to a hard varnish and does seem to be effective.

In the garden I use Jeyes Fluid well diluted and this seems to keep them at bay.

I suspect they will be here long after we have gone

[starone]

I'm going to try all these remedies but one at a time. The vinegar one and the washing up liquid first I think. I've got some of that in the cupboard. Do you dilute the washing up liquid duncer, or pour it in as it is? Thanks to everyone who has answered. You are very kind.

[TheWinner]

We had them one year, and trust me I hate them with a passion! We tried everything.
White vinegar does not work, we tried diluted oil of peppermint, jeyes fluid didn't work and that stinks, talcum powder and chalk lines don't work, boiling water kills them, but the more you kill, the more eggs the queen lays and it makes it worse. They went away of their own accord on flying ant day. They aren't daft, and they are in control, not you. I hate them.

[Duncer]

Washing up liquid is neat, that's why I use the cheap stuff. It sure as hell gets them though.

[starone]

Thanks duncer. Will try that and will let you know later with an update.

[Answerprancer]

You could try chilling out and just letting them be - live and let live and all that.

[TheWinner]

I don't mind if they live outside, it's when they try to come INSIDE that I hate them. If they come inside my house, trust me, they WILL die!

[sidkid]

If you could kill all the ants in your garden (difficult) and all the ants in your neighbour's gardens (more difficult) and all the ants in your neighbour's neighbour's gardens (very difficult) then you would be ant-free......for a while...
If you destroy an ants nest it will be replaced by several new nests. This is because the resident ants will attack and kill new Queen ants before they have chance to establish a nest. Kill the current residents and you will create ant chaos! Just leave them alone.....

[Answerprancer]

Also, ants that come into your house (from my experience) even if they form thick stripes up your walls, will be gone the next day if you just sit it out and stop being an angry Daily Mail reader.
Just think about it - a totally clear house with no sticky Nippon smears and stains up the wallpaper and all that blood-pressure saved.

[jno]

not in my experience, AP, once they find a path to somewhere they want to go, they'll use it all year. Thermonuclear weaponry is the only answer. (Though I've heard they'll even survive that.)

[Answerprancer]

(that was directed primarily towards TheWinner)

[douglas9401]

I recall sleeping off the jet lag in Perth, WA and waking up to find the ants swarming over the lovely white Egyptian cotton sheets.
Better than a cold shower to kick-start your day. :)
Anyhoo, a trip to the supermarket got a tin of Mortein spray which forms a barrier lasting weeks. The ants know it's deadly to them, humans know that the ants know so everybody's happy.
We'll never be rid of them, just have to lay some ground rules for co-existance.

[snags]

You can rent one of these from B&Q:

http://i151.photobuck.../snagged_01/1ds02.jpg