Ants!

I use Terro-it's basically sugar water and borax mixed together. it works within a day or so though, and then you can remove the poison.

We had a problem too! We bought some homeguard spray,(something like that), you can find it at lowes or even walmart. You just hook it to your hose and spray the parameter of your house ( on the outside), they'll go away immediatley!
It's safe to use with pets also! It keeps ants, spiders, and other yucky bugs away! It lasts for a few months!

We had an ant problem a couple of years ago with our kitchen window. They do not like cinnamon so I just put a line of cinnamon on the window sill right next to the actual window and we never have seen them again.

We have had a terrible problem with ants this year too. There is a previous post about that somewhere here on Mamasource. You might check that out. I tried Terro (didn't work), exterminator (at $75- didn't work), various ant sprays (didn't work). I finally used cornmeal and for the most part... it worked!!! I still see a few now and then, but nothing like I did. Apparently, the ants love cornmeal but can't digest it. I sprinkled it inside the windowsills and all around the "hotspots" on the outside. Beware though, I found out the squirrels *love* it! Not a problem for me, but I know some folks have issues with squirrels. The exterminator told me that ants love those moist areas outside like mulch and low to the ground bushes. We have Yucca plants near our home and they love those.
Good luck. Just know that so many people are struggling with the same problem.

Hi R.,
We had a problem with ants as did the neighbors and learned they were from the beautiful flowers outside. If they want in they get in...ha.. no telling how. I found that a product by TERRO (Liquid Ant Baits) works the BEST! You can set them on your counter outside the door, on the deck, up high, down low, anywhere.. they work and it seems to be the only thing I have ever found to get rid of these pesky insects!!!! Good Luck!!! (ooopsss I just sent and noticed that I believe the other Mom's are sending you infor on the same ant bait! I guess we all know how good this stuff is.- It sounds to be the same thing anyway! :o)- You can get this at the local Price Chopper or Home Depot or Lowes.. Look for the Bright Orange box with Blue nad white writing on it!)
A., Mom of 4 (17, 15, 9, and 4)

I've never had a problem figuring out how they are getting in, because I've always been able to see them marching in with a solid straight line of ants! But if you see them in 1 part of the kitchen versus another, focus on that area.

The bug 'hotels' don't work (where they go in and don't go out) so don't use that. There's another type of 'trap' that our bug guy recommended that has a clear sticky liquid in it. It smells good to the ants so they go in to pick it up and take it back to the 'base' to share, and it poisons all who eat it. The negative is that it's good at attracting ants, so it will seem like you have more than before. But after a week they disappear because they've all been poisoned. In the meantime keep all food of counters so they only go to the trap and not the good foods.

Trust me the ants will come in from places you cant even think of. We have ants sometimes in my sons room and in the dinning room floor and it is because they are attracted to SUGAR. so if you have sugar around, kids leave crums on the floor, open sugary things, need to make sure they are sealed. And you might have to sweep and mop your kitchen more often than you would like in the summer months :( For us I notice that we have ants on the floor when the kids eat and leave crums specially if they are from cereal, or spill stuff etc. So I end up mopping the floor a lot more often. I usually have use this Victor Roach Powder that is supposely non toxic and use it around the edges by the doors, windows etc. It has worked but dont know where to get it. I got it a long time ago and it was for commercial use, so dont know where to buy it.
A.

lemon scented cleaning products will rid your house of the pests. They don't like the smell and will not cross a line of it.

It only takes part of your normal cleaning routine. Wipe down the countertops and back splash with it everyday after you do the dishes. Wipe down wood work with Lemon scented polish or Orange Glo. Be sure to use something on painted walls that is safe for the paint. Don't forget the windows.

It's worked for us and my Aunt. Even DIY says soak a string in citrus oil and surround your house with it. Plant Peppermint around your foundation, or spread cheyenne pepper around your foundation.

have fun cleaning.

I agree with Shel and Jill, the Toro Ant poison stuff works the best. I bought the raid things this year cause the store I was at didn't have the Toro stuff...and ended up having to find it cause the Raid traps did nothing.

We had an ant problem last year, so bad that we had to have someone come spray. The ants can come in ANYWHERE. We had them coming in from around out dishwasher and they can come in from around your toilet, sinks, drains. It has worked wonders and we've not had any problems with them this year.

http://www.invisiblegardener.com/gardening_center/natural...

there are alot of "natural" ideas on that website to use!! Good luck

Fantastic cleaner with orange!!! It works!!! (any of the sprays with orange will work)

Short of calling Orkin, we have used Bioganic House and Garden Insect spray. It does not smell the best when first sprayed, but it is safe around kids and we have used around doors and windows in our kitchen. It is all organic is why we first used it. I am not sure which garden centers around here carry it so I would suggest calling. I hope this helps.

We had fleas & aunts, ~ so we had to hire it done, but he just sprayed stuff on the floor.
The aunts were even in the bathroom. They seem to be able to get in any were.