How To Deal With Unwanted Ants?
I've heard to just sprinkle Ajax (?) around the tires. Is this sufficient? Or are there any other ways to get rid of ants?
Forum Discussion
DiskDoctr wrote:
Diatomaceous Earth...
1. Get the FOOD GRADE, absolutely NOT the pool filter stuff. The first is non-toxic.
2. DE is the exoskeletons of tiny sea creatures. Spiny and sharp. It scrapes the waxy coating off insects' bodies, causing them to die.
3. Safe for all mammals, even can be mixed with water and ingested in small amounts. The health benefits are uncertain, but it is non-toxic.
4. It is very dusty! Depending how much you need to spread, use a plastic cup or a larger scoop if needed and spread around by hand. It has the consistency of a very fine and dry clay. Powder-like.
When spreading, try to "Set" it in place instead of throwing or tossing it when using in places where you don't want dust. Use a mask if you're sensitive to dust.
It's used commonly in chicken coops.
5. It is not a barrier. Like many solutions, it injures the pests that die sometime later (I don't know how long?).
Personally, I'd like to use something that would cause the pests to explode into dust-free clouds and make a "poof" or "snap" sound so I could smile during a nap as it worked :)
Sounds like that old HeeHaw song, "poof they was gone"
Thanks for the further tips, I did buy food grade, etc!- Diatomaceous Earth...
1. Get the FOOD GRADE, absolutely NOT the pool filter stuff. The first is non-toxic.
2. DE is the exoskeletons of tiny sea creatures. Spiny and sharp. It scrapes the waxy coating off insects' bodies, causing them to die.
3. Safe for all mammals, even can be mixed with water and ingested in small amounts. The health benefits are uncertain, but it is non-toxic.
4. It is very dusty! Depending how much you need to spread, use a plastic cup or a larger scoop if needed and spread around by hand. It has the consistency of a very fine and dry clay. Powder-like.
When spreading, try to "Set" it in place instead of throwing or tossing it when using in places where you don't want dust. Use a mask if you're sensitive to dust.
It's used commonly in chicken coops.
5. It is not a barrier. Like many solutions, it injures the pests that die sometime later (I don't know how long?).
Personally, I'd like to use something that would cause the pests to explode into dust-free clouds and make a "poof" or "snap" sound so I could smile during a nap as it worked :) - The problem with Terro is that you're going to attract ants to the bait, which temporarily leaves you floating in ants. I've used Terro outside, way back by the pool/patio and it works great.
Question: Should I also buy one of the dusters, spritzers that Amazon sells? I'd imagine that I'd just get by with a tablespoon and sprinkle around the tires and the water connect, sewer connect and any other way the ants could get onboard. I'm talking about the Diatomaceous Earth now.
Also, how often do you have to sprinkle with the Diatomaceous Earth? Should a 10lb sack last all summer?
Never had to deal with ants on the yacht, so all this is new to me!
Thanks again for the help, it's appreciated!
Frank FrankShore wrote:
Thanks for the tips on Diatomaceous Earth, I'll pick up a bag a Amazon!
We got it at Home Depot in the garden department. Our neighbor paid an exterminator to come out for the ants in her garage. We got rid of ours faster using DE.- Thanks for the tips on Diatomaceous Earth, I'll pick up a bag a Amazon!
- I put seven dust around tires,power cord and hose stops them from coming in
- My TT picked up an infestation of Argentine ants (those very tiny black ants) a couple years ago. I tried the poisons and traps to no avail. Finally bought diatomaceous earth and threw it in the pass-thrus and under the sink and behind all the access panels, everywhere I could think of. That did the trick. It's safe to sprinkle around the tires and jacks when at a campsite, but you have to remember to reapply after a rain, as it loses its effectiveness after getting wet.
westernrvparkowner wrote:
> How To Deal With Unwanted Ants?
I was completely unaware there was such a thing as wanted ants.
http://m.wikihow.com/Build-an-Ant-Farm- Our results with Terro were mixed. Diatomaceous earth is currently my preferred weapon.
- > How To Deal With Unwanted Ants?
I was completely unaware there was such a thing as wanted ants.
