ANTS That Just Won't Quit

Updated on March 14, 2008
E.B. asks from Portland, OR
14 answers

I have the most random ant problem ever. We live on the third floor of an apartment building, and are very clean people. We have a n ant infestation in our bathroom, and just found more in the livingroom on our bookcase. Any ideas on how to get rid of them, we have a son and a child on the way, not to mention pets. We have tride ant traps that don't seem to help one bit, and I obviously cannot spray insecticide in my house...HELP me please, I am going batty!

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So What Happened?

Well, after careful investigating, I found out that these ants may be carpenter ants. We tried a couple of things, and the only thing that seemed to work was the Borax. Thank you so much for all of your help! P.S. I tried the Nutrasweet because I was really curious about that one, but these ants aren't really into sweets.

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P.D.

answers from Chicago on

E.:

my understanding is that ants come in for water... you can try putting boric acid where you believe they are coming in.

otherwise i would call Rick at A Plus pest Contro. ###-###-####. They use products that are enviromentally safe.

website: www.apluspest.com

P., RLC, IBCLC
Pres. Lactation Support Group, Inc
www.lactationsupportgroup.com

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I.C.

answers from Chicago on

I also have terrible ant problems in my home. I have used a guy for the last 4 years since I've moved into my house. He's excellent and knows what he's doing. I have 2 kids and 2 dogs and a cat and he well aware of my concern. He's a parent too and understands this. He comes in and sprays outside and in and I have never had a problem with my children or pets after he's treated the ants.

Please give him a call and ask how much he charges for apartments. I live in a house so I might pay more then what he would charge you for service.

Ability Pest Control
Jerry Cavanaugh
###-###-####

Let him know that I recommended you. He knows me as Isabell in Schaumburg

1 mom found this helpful
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S.G.

answers from Chicago on

If these are big, black ants, they are definitely carpenter ants. And be careful, they bite! This means that you have rotted wood somewhere, either in the roof or walls. If you have an idea where they come from, that's probably where the rotted wood is, as they live off it. After many exterminating companies, I bought a can of professional strength Raid, sprayed where they were coming in from and in 2 days, the queen died. We called a roofer and sure enough, we had had a leak in the roof and there was the rotted wood. No more ants.

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E.B.

answers from Chicago on

I find that every spring, the ants decide to come back and pay us a visit. We have cats and a baby, so obviously exterminators and pesticides are not the solution. I've had pretty good luck by sprinkling a thick line of cayenne pepper against the floor boards where I know they're coming in. It can take a week or so for them to stop crossing the line, but I feel like it works so much better than those traps. Plus, you don't have to worry one bit about poisoning anyone. I think that cornmeal idea sounds great, too. I think I'll try that next time!

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J.D.

answers from Chicago on

Hi,

I would try an exterminator, however, it really won't solve the problem unless you get the entire building sprayed. You certainly can spray the house, I would just have them leave out the babies room. Talk to your landlord and tell him/her your problem. Hopefully, he wouldn't want ants in his building! He could get introuble, too.

Good luck. (a great exterminater is "Quick Kill." Ask for Brian.)

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M.R.

answers from Chicago on

We have a problem with ants also. Try vinger water. I use it on my floors, counters and any where I see ants. Also, salt is suppose to work. I put it in spots that can not be reached by the kids or my animals. Seal any place they may be coming in. Look around the windows, doors, floor boards etc.. and talk to your neighbors to see if they are having any problems. We have used Orkin in the past but I do not like all the chemicals with the kids and anilmals. Plus, as soon as we stopped using Orkin the ants came back. The vinger and salt seems to be helping here.

Good Luck!!!!

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M.M.

answers from Chicago on

I second most of the advice such as vinegar and water, c. pepper, cornmeal.

Here are a few more ideas:
* Instant grits,
* They won't cross a line of chalk
* They hate the smell of Tree Tea Oil. I put some on cotton balls and place them in places out of kids way. I would not want them eating it, but it is a more natural way of keeping them away.
* Terro Ant powder has been suggested to me. I don't want to use chemicals. It has been suggested, many times, to put it on around the base of the building. Depending on the kid's age it might be a possibility.

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G.M.

answers from Chicago on

Have you contacted the owner or management? My guess is that it's coming from another unit or elsewhere and they should take a look at the whole building. I'd also look to see if there are any cracks in your bathroom and try to seal those up.

I have Orkin come on a quartly basis because we had a drain fly problem. He sprays something around the inside of our house and outside to keep other insects away, which he says is safe. Plus, he was able to locate where the drain flies were coming from.

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C.W.

answers from Chicago on

Depends on what kind of ants. However, here are some non toxic possibilities. They worked for me on the small ants.
If you can, determine the entry spot for these critters. That is the best way to nab them/prevent from entering.
1. Sprinkle talc, baby powder nowadays has no talc (or should not) but that worked for me. ( I did the vinegar and then the baby powder.) GONE .....at a baseboard area.
Note: the vinegar or the vinegar/cayenne combo can be put in a
spray bottle
2. Spray vinegar in the area. You can also dampen a rag and
with it and place at the site of entry.
3. Outside/greenhouse you can use a mixture of vinegar and cayenne pepper powder. Any combo works pretty much, but try 1 cup vinegar to 1 tablespoon cayenne. I used this in the greenhouse and it did not stain, but just FYI

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M.P.

answers from Chicago on

Please let me know what works im having the same prob. i have a 3 yr old & a dog

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K.K.

answers from Chicago on

We had an ant problem in our bathroom in our last house and it turned out to be carpenter ants. Carpenter ants are all different sizes and travel around the house looking for food. They do not eat wood like termites, they make a nest out of wet wood. You might want to not only call a professional before you go through the floor but your apartment complex as well. We were lucky and caught them before they did any damage, but we ended up ripping out all the walls around the shower/tub and replacing the drywall and retiling.

Good luck
K.

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B.V.

answers from Chicago on

I had the same problem in my condo complex. I used an exterminating company called AAA. They are inexpensive and they come out once a month for six months. They do not spray. I have used them twice for ants and roaches and AAA works miracles. Never saw a bug again. If you rent, you may want to address that issue with the landlord. That he can pick up the tab. Good luck.

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C.G.

answers from Chicago on

We have the same problem and I have a feeling it is coming from our neighbors (townhome). I bought some natural orange ant repellent spray once that worked really well, but I can't seem to find it anywhere around here.I can't even remember the brand name, but there are natural repellent sprays out there- maybe Whole Foods would have something? I agree about the chemicals in the other stuff around the kids. I have also heard vinegar is effective and am planning to try that when they next visit.

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K.D.

answers from Chicago on

Just learned about this environmental friendly way to get rid of ants Cornmeal. This ants will eat it go back to their nest but are unable to digest it. It may take a few weeks, but hang in there. Using Cornmeal will not expose your son to any chemicals. Good Luck.

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