We Have a Ant Problem

Updated on July 16, 2009
M.D. asks from Orange, CA
37 answers

so it seems like every summer we get a really ant problem here at home. and im just wondering what is something that i can spray thats safe around the babies crib to keep them away. any ideas would help... thank you

4 moms found this helpful

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.W.

answers from Los Angeles on

Emerald Green Satellite problem.

I've been working on it for years. I want ants to be extinct, we don't need them for anything. It's a waste of satellite energy. I'd like butterflies.

Be well.

N.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

Before we had youngest we had a cockatoo and they are very sensitive to harsh chemicals and to find a safe "ant b gone" so for about 5 years now I keep I get Ecosmart organic insecticide (I found it at Stater Bros. about 3.50 a can. It is safe around children and pets and it is non-toxic the ingredients are Rosemary & Cinnamon oil and water, wintergreen oil, mineral oil, oleic acid, canola oil, etc. they make ant, roach and flying insect sprays. They do have a wintergreen smell (I like it, it's like a airfreshner too. Good Luck

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

We had a really bad ant problem last summer and the only thing that worked for us was the ant bait traps. Within two days after putting those out they were finally gone.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.W.

answers from Los Angeles on

I heard ant sticks work magic! Hope that can help!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

I have also used Terro with great success. Good luck and congratulations on your achievements.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.B.

answers from Honolulu on

I use Amdro around the outside base of the house. As long as I'm consistent, it works pretty well. The electronic things only disrupted their pattern for a week or two, then they came back. db

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.V.

answers from Santa Barbara on

Hi M.,

We've been having an ant problem every summer for the past 3 years too. The thing that seems to help the most is getting the liquid traps and putting them around where the ants are prevalent. It takes awhile to make them subside. I do use spray in the garage if I have too, but I can't stand using ant spray in the house. If things don't get better, you might have to have an exterminator come over. I've debated that myself.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Try "Terro Liquid Ant Baits."
Here's a link about it:
http://www.terro.com/products.php?product=liquid_ant_bait

I get it from my local Long's or garden store.
It kills the colony... not just stray ants.
It comes in a easy to use, ready to use plastic holder... for the liquid... the ants go to it, eat it, and take it back to their colony. In a few days, the ants die and disappear.

Just place it where the ant trails are... or where you baby can't touch it.

Other things are "repellents" but the ants will come back... because it just repels, not kills the colony.

The Terro Ant Baits are real successful. I use that in my home. As long as you/baby don't literally touch it, it's fine. There is no smell to it. I believe its just liquid Borax? But it works REAL well! This is the only thing that gets rid of our ants.

Good luck,
Susan

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.C.

answers from Las Vegas on

Hi M.,
We used to have an ant problem, too, until I became a Melaleuca member, and began to use Sol-U-Mel and PreSpot! When mixed correctly with water, Sol-u-Mel kills ants! We had a fish tank just covered with ants! I couldn't even feed the fish without having ants swarm my arm. We also had ants swarming into the house. Just 1 spraying of Sol-U-Mel in the areas where the ants were kept them out! Amazing stuff, and absolutely no poisons in it, so it is safe around the crib, in the kitchen, anywhere in your home!

If you'd like some, or more information, check my website, or give me a call.
http://www.ACLiveLifeWell.com
###-###-####

Lots of luck with the SAFE removal of your ant problem.

A.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

Don't use a spray. Grant's Ants - it's the best. You just place this small thing on the floor, and they will be gone. You can buy them in the market. NO SMELL, nothing in the air. Easy!!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

sure- if you sign up for angie's list, you can look up an exterminator that uses eco-friendly and/or child friendly stuff. For instance, there is an ant spray that uses peppermint oil- it's very safe- and i can say for sure that it works.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.E.

answers from Los Angeles on

HI,
An exterminator once told me to use any cleaning spray such as Windex, Fantastic, etc. Windex worked for me. Good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

F.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

miss meghan~
firstly congrats on your baby. You should be very proud of yourself for continuning your education. My sister in-law was a teen mother also in her senior year. She has gone onto becoming an RN and has been one for 5 year. Never let little bump in the road stray you from your goals. Now about the ants, when my husban and i moved ino your home a year ago we had the same problem. Our solution was a company called "Corky's pest control" they use organic/botanical products. The web site is www.corkyspestcontrol.com, it worked for us hope you have the same experience.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hello,

Ants do not like salt! Put around the house or crib, it should help.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.H.

answers from San Luis Obispo on

Besides the corn meal mounds (which work!), ants HATE peppermint oil. Put a few drops of peppermint oil on cotton balls and place around the room (make sure to avoid touching furniture as it may damage the finish). Also, I use a teaspoon of Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap (I buy mine at Trader Joe's) in a small spray bottle filled with water. I spray my kitchen down and leave the soap overnight. Next morning, I wipe up with a cloth slightly dampened with water. May work for your baseboards.

Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

I've been using Ortho's Home Defence for the spiders, but its also kept the ants at bay. I use it in my kids' room (baseboards, along the ceilings, corners, and then underneath and behind the beds) and then spray around every doorway and all the windows/vents outside our apartment. Works great but have to respray every 4-6 months. We've not had spiders or ants for nearly two years when I keep on top of it.

The few times we've had a major ant invasion, I've use Raid. Nasty chemical, but it works for immidiate results. Then I also mix up a 50-50 concoction of cornstarch and powdered sugar and place little piles of it around the apartment where i find trails of ants. The ants eat it for the sugar, and carry it back to the nest. The cornstarch slowly gums up their diegestive track and the whole colony ends up starving to death. It takes forever to completely get rid of an entire nest, but when their gone - their gone. Our last major invasion was 2 years ago.

best of luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.J.

answers from Los Angeles on

Thank you for posting this, as I have similar issues. I have tried the powder thing, I watched them walk over it, no joke. I do use Orange glo on the wood, my big issue is the kitchen, but they dont go on the cupboards or table once I put orange glo on it. I would do it on the crib legs not thick just spray and wipe lightly, I do it once a week and it works for keeping them off that area,just part of cleaning now. My next step I will find some bait?? or something to do to keep them out! Since that takes a while to work. Good luck and let me know if you find something that WORKS!!
Congratulations on baby and Graduation! major accomplishments and not easy to do! KUDOS!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

Not sure if you have tried ant chalk or not--it is the ONLY solution to killing ants at my house. We must live on an ant hill, we get them really bad. Raid has made me sick once and throw up and I would not use it around my kids. We have used the ant chalk and have 3 kids around the house. We have used it to line the bottom of the baseboards, usually where they are not directly exposed to it. Ant chalk is dry and doesn't smell. I don't think it would harm them if it is behind or at the bottom of crib where your baby doesn't get to. You can get it in Chinatown. Even if you just use it in other places around your house, away from your baby--it is the BEST solution to getting rid of ants quickly without any spray. Sounds like there are a lot of options--I would just start trying some and see what works. I'm going to try some that people suggested too. Best wishes to you & your family.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Yes I have a safe idea - use little mounds of corn meal. Place it at the corners of the affected areas - ants can't digest it and they die!
M. C.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

cinnamon - the spice. in powder form ants have crawling through it. surely not toxic too.,
Good Luck
V

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.L.

answers from San Diego on

Good Morning M., First of all let me say congradulations on going back to school and graduating. The Elemetry school here by my house uses corn meal, the ants were getng int kids so they put corn meal down around the outside of the class room, the janitor said the ants eat the corn meal and burst then thy just clean up. I have a daycare so i tried it in y family room just in side the sliding doors and it worked wen I sa no mor ants I just vacumed. Enjoy your new baby, one of my daycae mommys is only 19. J. L.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.H.

answers from Visalia on

we have used the wall plug in electronic devices in the past and they work wonders....kept more than ants away, we never saw anything! It does make a minimual clicking noise but you get used to it quickly.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

We used to have horrible ant problems until I found a product called Optiguard from DoYourOwnPestControl.com. It's a clear gel bait so you place it near their hole or, if you can't find it, the nearest place to where they're coming into the house. Within 3 days all the ants were gone and we haven't had a problem since. The ants take it back to the nest and that kills the ants there including the queen. good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

Ants will not cross a line of chalk (regular chalkboard chalk) but this would not work if the floor is carpet. You can do it in other areas around the house & outside to block their path. Good job on the diploma!!! I had my 1st baby 10 days before I was 18. I never finshed 12th grade, (that was in the 70's) never went back. You did very well for yourself! C.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

go outside and spray around the house..that helps me so much..i hate having to use Raid but when i spray outside and get them there they don't come in as much..did it yesterday ..and found none in here today. As for around the crib maybe you should go to Wholefoods and ask what they have..that sucks they're coming into the baby's room..maybe Green makes something? or ant traps that baby can't get to?

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Dryer sheets seriously work!!
we had a huge ant issue - and i put dryer sheets all around where they were and i swear they are gone.
it's not so nice having dryer sheets laying around, but i try to hide them in window sills and behind frames....good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.C.

answers from San Diego on

we had an ant problem last year i bought some dissolving ant granules and sprinkled those out side and no more ants inside, but cream of wheat or corn meal works like i have read, they eat it explode, the other thing i've tried is the baby powder but it has to have talcum in it not just corn starch, the talcum is what they cant breath in so they walk around it or avoid the area

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

It's random, but chalk and baby powder work for keeping them from "crossing that line".

I also spray them with hair spray or regular window cleaner sometimes...kills them and cleans everything!

-M

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

There is a product called "PreSpot" that kills ants and does not have any dangerous chemicals in it. It is available through an online wholesale store that creates and manufactures nearly 400 home products, like the Prespot, that are safe for your family and the environment. Our home burned down recently, and I couldn't wait to get the "good stuff" again as I now notice such a difference between the two. I've been so impressed, that I now work with the company, but I would share even if I didn't. If you would like more info, and to get rid of those pesky ants, just email me at ____@____.com.
Happy Day with Jael!

P.S.

answers from San Diego on

Hi M.,

Sprinkle baby powder along the baseboards of the room. It will keep the ants away. Peppermint essential oil (found at Health Food Stores) will also do the trick.

P.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

A friend recommended that I sprinkle baby powder and it's worked every time!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Spray around the outside perimeter of the house. It's worth it! Since my husband started doing it, we haven't had an ant problem.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

ants can be killed w/ soap and water. or vinegar. that is what I use-white vinegar in a spray bottle. although, I don't know how safe it is for an infant.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

If you can see which part of the house they are coming in from, drown the area with water a few times. Our neighbour suggested this to us and it has worked. The ants picked up camp and moved away.
Good luck

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

go to home depot and get ant granuals and put them around the putside of the house the ants eat them and take then back to the nest and the queens die this is the ONLY effective way to get rid of them I've done it and it REALLY works spray does not good luck

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

I buy orange spray from Mother's Market. It's so effective that I only spray a small amount along the bottom seam of the wall and that should do the trick. It says it's safe for children and pets.

FYI re: Ant chalk...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ant_chalk

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches