Our dining room is being invaded by ants and I need to figure out the best way to stop them. I suspect they are getting in through my sill plate which has gaps you can see through to the outside and I will be doing spray foam on soon, but until then can I spray to start killing them?

Floor is hardwood oak, house was built in 1954 so it's not tight like a modern house. They seem to be coming up through gaps in the floor itself from below? The floor itself has not been refinished yet, it's pretty much original unfinished narrow strip oak.

They also seem to be coming in through gaps in the baseboards. it doesn't help that we have 2 messy little boys (age 2 and 4) that drop food on the floor during meals which is attracting them, we try to keep it cleaned up but it's hard.

I was looking at these two sprays and wanted to see if one of them would be worth getting? I have to be really careful with ant traps with a 2 year old running around because they get into EVERYTHING and I don't want him picking up something hat may be toxic.





Any other ideas? Trying to avoid having to bring in an exterminator if I can help it as I know they aren't cheap.

Thanks!

Because you have kids, I'd look for something that may not harm them in the process. I've used a lemongrass-based product by EcoLogic that is safe for kids and pets.

http://www.ecologicnaturals.co...-Killer-Aerosol.aspx

Available at Lowe's, Home Depot, others.

Ortho for the win. Leaves a barrier that lasts. And, spray outside as well. We have a dog and there is no harm.

Spectricide never seemed as effective as Ortho.

My preference is the ortho brand.
Fire ant are a problem around my property,it wipes them out but its kinda a loosing battle in my hood as I am surrounded by renters and they don't waist money on things other than weed and crack.

If you just want kill-on-contact, try soapy water. I use diluted dishwashing liquid from a spray bottle.

I have an old house and every spring I nuke and pave the perimeter with a vengeance. I use the Ortho granules at twice the prescribed rate around the whole house (2 handles worth), then follow up with the Ortho spray on the brick foundation (similar to the ones you show in your OP).



If it gets really raining, I will re-apply in August-Sept if I see incursions.

The only time insects get in is the flying kind (through an open door) or when it rains, but those ones are always dead / dying from crossing the 'dead-insect zone' to enter.

Also, since you have kids, check around for them leaving stuff / bottles / food, as the ants are normally coming in for a reason - one year they made it up to the second story for a stash of old popsicle wrappers that had been festering for awhile (before I sprayed).

I've had great results with Terro Ant Baits.

http://www.terro.com/terro-liquid-ant-baits-2-pack

quote:

Originally posted by 95flhr:
I've had great results with Terro Ant Baits.

http://www.terro.com/terro-liquid-ant-baits-2-pack

You can kill the ones you see with other products, but Terro will kill'em for the future.

quote:

Originally posted by 95flhr:
I've had great results with Terro Ant Baits.

http://www.terro.com/terro-liquid-ant-baits-2-pack

That is 1/2 the solution. Long story short, Ants eat on a sugar cycle (your bait) and a protein/grease cycle. If you put out only sugar baits they may be on a grease/protein cycle and your trap will be ineffective. You either need both types side by side or you need both in one trap. Here is an example of a 2 in 1 bait station.

Bengal is one of the pesticides there is.

If you don’t want to go the chemical route because of children, try spreading a lot of cinnamon spice in all the cracks and around the baseboards. Ants hate cinnamon.

the ORTHO has Bifen in it and that is what I use and have used around our homes for decades-even with little kids and dogs

I usually buy BIFEN at tractor supply and spray it in a backpack sprayer. it kills every kind of bug.

I lasts for a long time inside, but will degrade quickly outside (I think its designed to do that)

and it is specifically what I used to kill fire ants when I lived in NC. But I usually used a quart for each mound and sprayed the yard.

If you go to tractor supply you can get a quart of full strength that is made to be diluted and it will last you a lifetime for about $40. versus buying the already diluted stuff from lowes or home depot...

Domyownpestcontrol has a web site.
I don't buy the big box stores stuff.
Spray Around house footing, under house @ footing, cut shrubs and limbs from touching house.

Terro has worked well for us.

Ants won’t cross a 1/4” bead of coffee grounds.

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:

quote:

Originally posted by 95flhr:
I've had great results with Terro Ant Baits.

http://www.terro.com/terro-liquid-ant-baits-2-pack

That is 1/2 the solution. Long story short, Ants eat on a sugar cycle (your bait) and a protein/grease cycle. If you put out only sugar baits they may be on a grease/protein cycle and your trap will be ineffective. You either need both types side by side or you need both in one trap. Here is an example of a 2 in 1 bait station.

Thanks for posting that! Order placed. We tend to occasionally get some of the small sweet ants and some black ants which the Terro works fairly well on both but that kit looks much better. The gel should stay put and be easier to manage where it can be applied and kept in place in stucco vertical areas and others. Ants are pretty resourceful and crafty. I have even found them using a ground wire to find their way into the soffit area of the roof overhang.

This should help get the last of them! Thanks again.

Orange oil. Dilute per instructions on bottle, spray a perimeter inside and outside windows, doors, wherever you think they may come in. I don’t think it would be good on your hardwood floors, protect them from overspray. It works, no nasty chemicals, and smells nice. Be sure to dilute it, it’s strong stuff. I have a problem with little black ants that come in looking for water and any food left out. Orange oil for the win.

Use borax in a mixture they will eat and take back to the nest. Some ants like borax with peanut butter, others like borax with sugar or honey.

In general it is best to not seal off the perimeter of the house until you have allowed them to get it back to their nest.

Email with details sent.

Terro terro terro terro terro.
Took a week. All gone

Ace hardware has a two fer deal. Used 10 out of 12 bait traps and
No ants remain.

And it was a very bad problem.

Three fold.
Spray barrier inside and outside on foundation.
Granuals outside 2 ft wide, entire perimeter of house.
Ant bait feed stations inside, and outside.
Oh, and seal the house as well:-)
It will take some time, but only way to get them all.