Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Wood floors & ants

Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.



PDA

View Full Version : Wood floors & ants

sgtbye
12-22-03, 07:13 PM
We live in Florida. We have a Harris Tarkett wood floor. Is it safe to use commercial insect sprays like Raid for ant problems on this type of floor?

If we cannot use a commercial spray, we need(!!!!) suggestions on how to get rid of a serious ant problem.

Help!

Dave_D1945
12-22-03, 08:11 PM
Check with a flooring store to make sure, but I doubt if Raid will hurt your floor. In addition to being beautiful, hardwood floors are amazingly durable.

Raid and other bug killers are OK for minor problems but if you have a major infestation, you probably need an exterminator. Most ant problems I've seen were stopped from outside the house.
Carpets Done Wright
12-22-03, 10:18 PM
The chemicals in some bug sprays will take the finish off the hardwood.

Dave_D1945
12-23-03, 07:22 AM
I didn't know that, Carpets :)

Last summer, we had a major ant invasion and I used several cans of ant and roach spray in and on our oak cabinets and Pergo floor. I never saw any damage to the wood (and not much to the ants, either).

Finally stopped the ants by finding their path outside and setting out ant traps.
florcraft
12-23-03, 12:20 PM
I think Mr. Wright was talking about real wood floors.
Laminate has a different finish, usually.
Dave_D1945
12-23-03, 01:36 PM
True, but I sprayed the bug spray on my oak cabinets as well with no adverse effects.
florcraft
12-23-03, 01:46 PM
oh :)