How to Get Rid of Mold and Ants in House?

Let me interject one little note of calm to the panic about mold: yes, there are some types that you absolutely cannot mess with, and they can be horrible to eradicate...BUT most molds that you'll find in damp places with low circulation aren't the "worst case scenario black molds of death" Most of what you'll be seeing is simple old fashioned mildew. Try a beach formula, keep the air circulating, and make sure that no place stays steamy.

Now if you *are* experiencing respiratory issues, or headaches, or any of the warning signs, get someone in to check, but otherwise, don't rush to your insurance company: once a mold has been diagnosed, that label sticks even if it's not a dangerous one, and the home can be uninsurable.... Also, if you *do* have the more dangerous varieties, the solution will be expensive: if it isn't then the mitigation company isn't taking proper precautions.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi V.,

I would certainly not take the mold into your own hands, very dangerous! I have a wonderful pest control guy that is very thorough and will get to the root of the issue and he is very conscious about toxicity. He may also know someone to help with the mold. His name is Scott Feldman with SJF Pest Control and his number is ###-###-####
cell-###-###-####. I highly recommend you give him a call. He is very professional and he knows his stuff!

Good luck!
Courtnee

Well living in South Florida I have become to think of the ants as part of the family almost.... I have the same problem with 3 different types of ants. The tiny fast sugar ants, little red ants, and sometimes bigger black ants. I did the treatment on the perimiter of the house which alleviated some of the problem, but then I realized that alot of the ants aren't comign from outside at all and that they have set up shop in the walls. I have even seen them coming from the smoke detector upstairs!!!!

All I can say is I spray about once a week with HOME DEFENSE from Home Depot, you can but it in a big jug with a sprayer for about $7. It seems to keep them away for a litle bit, but the best advise is to try and keep anything that would attract them off the counter/floors. I have 2 young kids so sometimes it's hard, all it takes is 1 cookie crumb and they have called in the infantry again.

Good Luck. For me it's an ongoing battle withthose darn ants!

The ants are like a house guest that just won't get the hint and leave! When we had this problem (after all of the heavy rains), I just sprinkled a little Borax (in the laundry aisle in any grocery store, Wal-Mart or Target) around the foundation outside the house and along doors/windows where the ants were getting in the house. Borax is safe for both pets and people! It worked great for us (even kept away red ants in the yard and other creepy crawlies that get into the house).

As far as the mold goes...I am not so sure about that. I know they sell sprays at Home Depot that helps clear up the problem...not sure if they are "non toxic"...

J. M.

I'm not sure about the mold but when my husband and I bought our house we had problems with ants.They were so bad that after it rained once we had about 100 ants in my sons' crib under his blanket. We called Hannan Environmental Services, and they came and sprayed and we've never seen a ant in the house again. (it was almost a year ago that they did the initial treatment and only spray every other month now). Also they have never sprayed inside the house again since. They said the stuff they use is fine for use around kids you just can't let them touch the baseboards while they are still wet. I just ended up taking my almost 2 yr old at the time to the park and it was dry by the time we got back.

Let me talk about the mold first. I worked for an environmental firm in my early 20's and MOLD is NOT SOMETHING TO MESS AROUND WITH. When it has infested a house as much as it sounds like it has yours, you NEED to get it checked out. Your home needs to be remediated and tested to make sure it isn't toxic. Some molds are cancer causing and some can cause respiratory problems, etc. GET IT TAKEN CARE OF ASAP PLEASE. Don't put the health of your family and yourself in jeopardy.

For the ants, they are tough to get rid of. The only thing that we tried that works the best (and you still get them) is to have your house (inside and out) sprayed every 3-6 months by a professional pest control service.

Hi V.,

I have gotten rid of ants by spraying an all natural product that I also use on clothes. It is a wonderful product with no foul smelling odor. To find out more information, please contact me via email: ____@____.com.

V. - This will probably sound like the weirdest thing you've ever heard but it did work. Sweet 'n low! I don't know why, maybe the saccharin. I have always used the Terro except I put a drop on a piece of tin foil then I put it down. (It is very hard to clean off of surfaces when the ants are gone.) Last year we got a kitten and I couldn't put the Terro on the floor. A friend of my husbands suggested the sweet 'n low and it worked. Another great fix is Borax.(I'm not sure if it works on ants.) Years ago, our cat got some fleas. It happened once, I don't know how 'cause he was an indoor cat. Anyway, try spraying a liquid at a cat! Flea spray was not an option. Someone suggested Borax Powder. It is not harmful. We rubbed it on him and they died right off. I also treated the carpets and the next day I found several dead spiders. I guess the boratic (?) acid dries them out after they eat it and they die. As far as the mold, I would clean with bleach and water. Run the clothes through the wash. You should have someone check your roof, sounds like you've got leaks($$$).

For the ants try spreading cloves around the house...especially where you see the ants living or where they are coming from. You can get cloves from any grocery store in the seasonings aisle.

V.,

I can't help you with the mold issue, you may have to call a professional company to help you with that. As for the ant issue. You can try baiting for them yourself with something called Terro. You can't have it near kids or animals. Something that is safe around kids and animals, I have Orkin come and treat my home every 3 months and I have not seen a single ant in over 8 months. I pay $79 every 3 months and I have unlimited call backs within the 3 months between my services if I have a problem. And them chemicals don't bother my kids and they have asthma and allergies.

Hope this helps.

S.
35 y/o SAHM of 3 boys 13, 5 and soon to be 3

Try Service Plus Pest Control 1-800-661-4422 my bug guys name is Jerome, as for the mold try baking soda in the closets and clorox all the windows and doors inside and out. The pest product is safe I have a dog and an 18month it dries within 20 minutes I try not to put it in his area. www.DiscoveryToysLink.com/LisaRyan LisaM

Tea tree oil! Awesome. My day care provider told me about it. I found a link to help explain.

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/three-ways-to-kill-mold-...

I also read camphor http://www.vitaminstuff.com/herbs-camphor.html and
eucalyptus http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/natural-essentia...

are good for cleaning the air. Also, your house ma be very humid. I live in Puerto Rico and use Damp Rid for my closet. It's a neat bag that has 2 compartments, the top holds a bunch itty bitty little round balls that pull the moisture out the air and into the second compartment. This keeps my closet mold free

How to get rid of ants... http://www.ehow.com/how_3791_rid-ants-naturally.html and http://www.getridofthings.com/get-rid-of-ants.htm
I haven't used the methods in the sites. But good luck.

Hello V.,

I live with my mother and at some point in the bathroom we were inundated with ants for a very long time and we live in south florida and we remember to use powder. Yes, powder. The one I have at home is medicated powder from Ammen's we left it in the counter for a couple of days and goodbye ants!

Now, mold is a much bigger problem I suggest you call your insurance agent for your home and I am pretty sure they can suggest what you can do. Good luck!

Take care,
/P.

Hi V.,

A very easy solution to the ant problem is MINT leaves. Go to your local Grocery store and in the produce dept. you'll find fresh mint. Just put the leaves in the pathway of where you see the ants and before you know it........ no more ants. You could even use pepermint essential oil (a good organic one). Both work great, are safe around pets and kids, and add a wonderful smell to your house.

As for the mold..........definetely get it tested to make sure it's not the black toxic mold.........that's life threatning and you don't want to risk you and your kids by messing around with it.

I hope this helps,
L. K

V.,
first of all, congratulations on looking for safe ways in which to combat nuisances and toxic overload in your home. The chemicals that are in most commercial preparations to get rid of these things, may not smell or demonstrate immediate negative effects, but they always hide in the body, building up until they cause harm. Many diseases are diagnosed by a certain name when the worst symptoms show up, but most MD's do not ever test for levels of toxic buildup in the body which helped to create the dysfunction. The majority of chenmical cleaning compounds contain heavy metals and other neurotoxins and immune destroyers. There is a reason why so many companies are now manufacturing "green" products and there is greater public demand for these items, although the state of Florida seems very far behind in public awareness as compared to other states.

There are a number of things available that are just as effective without contributing to the dangers of unseen pollution in your home. They do cost more money and require more diligent follow-ups than the poisons that do the job very quickly, but you really don't want the double edged sword approach - believe me!

Here is a link for you. Look around and you will find what you're looking for:

http://www.greennest.com/
http://www.propertyperfections.net/green-products-s/67.htm
http://www.kevindthompson.com/black_mold_cleaner.html

No matter what you're using, when removing molds please wear gloves and a mask to prevent breathing in spores as you clean.
BTW, any true orange oil cleaner is good for keeping ants away, although for a more permanent solution the bottle dispenser from Green nest is better.

Get the ants on the outside before they get in with a professional pest co.
As far as the mold goes there are many types and about 2 to 4 are very dangerous. I am more concerned about this with the kids and all of the family members. No one has that much mold. My educated guess is that you are not running the air conditioning. This used to happen in FL before AC came along i.e. mold in shoes, etc. My suggestion is to put a mask and rubber gloves on, make a bucket of water and bleach mixture and rub that soluton on all areas needing to take away the mold. Most companies you hire for this will be in there with space suits on and take you to the bank, but there are a cpl. that are okay.
This is dangerous and definitely should be taken care of ASAP!

Dear V.,

Hi. I use windex and 409 to get rid of ants. I spray the baseboards and windows, all cracks and openings with this and they do not come back. Just make sure that it is done at night so it drys by the morning so your children do not touch it.
R. M.