Ant Attack!

[whiskygalore]

Our kitchen's been invaded by ants and though we're doing our best to deter them by double-bagging and putting rubbish outside ASAP, they still come! Does anyone know of an effective way to stop them getting in, before they get in, if you know what I mean? I'm looking for a non-toxic solution if possible PS Can't see the nest anywhere near the house. Cheers!

[priveet]

You will usually be able to spot where they are getting in because ants normally follow a trail. Wash the area with soapy water. Then sprinkle one of the following around :- vinegar, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, salt or crushed mint leaves.

[Cetti]

You might get some inspiration here - I can honestly say once my Mum had got rid of the initial infestation indoors, a line of borax by all the entrances - back and front door etc really did work.

question 26094

[ChrisPBacon]

Kill a few and impale them on some toothpicks stuck in blutak near the point of entry. This will act as a deterrent to the others.

[Squirrel]

You might also want to defend your kitchen against the flying ones (my personal least favourite.) It only took them a few hours: - I had just walked into our kitchen and it was a few seconds before I noticed that the walls, windows, ceiling, everywhere I looked was black with them! Not nice; I've heard that having those dangly ribbons or beads around door frames keeps the flying insects away. Alternatively, keep your doors closed. It gives me the creeps just thinking about it.

[whiskygalore]

Thanks Cetti, that link didn't come up when I did a search - off to Robert Dyas I go!

[xyzzy@bok]

had ants in my living room; stripped the room clean of furniture, found a single Tictac mint on floor. removed, ants went after a day or two. So, however clean your kitchen, remove all tins, pans, etc til you find the sugary thing; no sugar = no ants. job done. :-)

[paulz]

whisky we found they actually were nesting in the wall, trekking across the floor and because we had a � bag of sugar [the jar was full] in the cupboard this was their food source. Sugar slung out [compost bin] the retreated after it. Sealant around all the gaps [use the builders chalk - for string lines - you can see where you need to go]. On the safe side we got the gel you put in a tiny plastic container. They take this bake to the nest which will slowly knock 'em dead. As for the flying ones gel one of those UV fly killers [one with a U shaped tube] and watch them Fry & Die [sounds like the title of an Arnie film!]