Indoor Pest Control - Ants

OK ladies and gents. I see this has been done many times. But I'll do it again. I have small ants all over the place. I have two girls 6 and 2 so any time any food is dropped the ants come out of the wood work. I have seen no trails so following them is hard. I have seven dusted around my home, used the granules around the home, sprayed Ortho home defense in and out the home, and this gel stuff that you put inside. I can kill the ants I see with any kind of cleaner I have handy like glass, kitchen etc. But I need to kill them at the nest to get them all. I don't like to use many chemicals because of my girls. So whats next????????

Airman, I raised my eyebrows when you said you used "seven" (maybe you meant Sevin?) and then said, "I don't like to use many chemicals because of my girls." That's some powerful stuff and I would NEVER use it, especially around my children or pets.
http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu/profiles/extoxnet/carbaryl-dicrotophos/carbaryl-ext.html

There have been many discussions on this topic and the trick is to id which ants you have so you can use the proper bait. Persistance and the proper bait is the key. Here's a good thread with some helpful links.
http://forum.doityourself.com/gardening-horticulture/385002-ants-ants-ants.html#post1555425

Ortho Home Defense label says it contains Bifenthrint.
http://www.scotts.com/smg/products/ortho/perimeter_bug_killers/home_perimeter_bugs/pdf/HDM%20Ready%20Spray.pdf

Here's info on bifenthrint.
http://extoxnet.orst.edu/pips/bifenthr.htm

So how about you id the type of ants you have, whether they are attracted to sugars or fats and use an appropriate bait that your children and pets can't get to?

Newt

Airman, in any particular area, either use bait or spray, but NOT both !! Most residual sprays only kill what you see but the NEST scatters and moves on to other areas and sometimes creates MULTIPLE nests !!! You MUST identify the ant and use the bait appropriate for that ant...some ants PREFER one type of bait over another...Residual sprays CONTAMINATE baits and the ants will not eat the bait or it will kill them TOO QUICKLY before they have a chance to get back to the nest with the bait !!! Hope this helps....Have you tried "Terro" yet ??

Bugblaster, that is excellent advice!

Newt

We have Argentine ants. My termite guy was here for the once a year visit. He sprayed some stuff inside and out but does not seemed to have helped much. I have not tried the terro yet.

Using chemical pesticides can be real dangerous esp if you have small pets and children in your home. I prefer you try the organic ones which are quite harmless to us and is quite effective. Pest services whom I employ for my house use organic products.

I can totally agree with organic solutions around Family. I have used these solutions for years and finding a local professional is essential so its done right.


Karl The BugMan

Airman, you could buy a dog to pick up the crumbs. Just a thought. Otherwise, organic is the way to go.

Yea a dog would be best! I got the Terro and it has helped a lot. I'm not into that green organic living so guess I'll have to stick with the terro.

Airman, I'm totally into 'green' and organic and I use the Terro as well. It's borax based. That's 'green'.

Newt

Trivia note:Terro's original active ingredient was arsenic.Whole different kind of green.

Arsenic sounds good! How about agent orange? On a side note I can remember having creosote up to my elbows as a boy. all the good stuff they ban!!