ants

[Magsmcl]

I have a recurring ants' nest (at my back doorstep).
I treat it with the usual powder and they disappear for a couple of weeks. They are back again for the fourth time !!!
Anyone have any suggestions.
Does anyone know if the winged ants are the ones that breed.
All help appreciated
Thanks
Mags

[B00]

Now please bear in mind I know beggar all about ants and their nests....but...

can you see their nest? If so, would it be possible ot move/destroy it when they die off after you've treated it?

[piggie3]

hi mags
i am lucky and only find ants in the garden but with children and dogs it was difficult to keep on top of them. i now use equal parts of sugar and bicarbonate of soda. the sugar attracts them and the bicarb blows them up, sounds a bit mean. i sprinkle little and often near the nest entrance if you can see it and where they run until they don't take it anymore. hope this works.

[cazzz1975]

dont use the powder its rubbish

use the liquid stuff that poisons the nest, they will be gone for a few months, bear in mind though there are billions of ants under the ground so its a matter of time before they return.

check where they are coming in and see if you can secure it more

[lil75]

Ants are funny things, im certain they send in a few first to see if they return and get the all clear so that they can all invade your home! I find if you catch them quickly as soon as you see the odd one here and there Kill it, honestly im sure this is the case!

[Ice.Maiden]

I'd deffo do as cazz advised. If you use Nippon, the ants'll carry back the poison to their nest and feed the queen. the colony'll be gone within a few days.

[cazzz1975]

they do,they send experienced foragers in to search for food, when they find some they go back to the nest laying a trail of pheromones on the way so that they will find their way back directly to the food.

they then bring some inexperienced ants with them and do the trip several times (laying more pheromones as they do) then they wait until the house id quiet (normally overnight) and send a large group in.

very clever but a pain in the backside

[Ice.Maiden]

Sorry cazzz - forgot the extra "z" before!

You're right. We had three runs of them in our kitchen last year, but out came the Nippon - and within four days......yay.

[cazzz1975]

im on the 12th wave :S

[Magsmcl]

Hi All,

Thanks all, for your help. I will have a go at your suggestions. What do the winged ants do?

Mags

[cazzz1975]

the elite winged ants spawn new nests

[paddywak]

Use Deathlac. It leavees a a very thin poisonous layer that lasts about three months and is carried into the nest and eventually kills the queen. It as also harmless to all animals after the first 2-3min when its dried