General Chat

Anyone else had ants in the house?
Couldn't believe it when I saw some ants on my living room carpet...I haven't got any sweet things around and do vacuum regularly.
Just can't believe they are around while the weather is so cold...unless they've come in for a warm as Ive got the heating turned up as had a bad cold.
Have sprayed and polished furniture with vinegar and water and put pepper around the skirting board.
Any tips welcome!

We normally get ants in the house when it's very dry, Brenda. They come looking for moisture I would think. In summer I put some citronella oil in the bucket of water when I wash the floors and wipe the window sills and around the front and back doors with citronella too. If you decide to do that just check a small patch to make sure it doesn't take the paint off.

Thanks Sue,
I have some citronella.I use it mixed with sweet almond oil when gardening to stop getting bitten...never thought about it for ants..have used borax with a small spoon of sugar which they take back to the nest,but dont have any in and not shopping till tomorrow.

AND YOU KNOW WHATS WORSE

GETTING THEM TO PAY RENT,,


SERIOUSE THEY EAT AWAY THE WALLS

Thanks for that Gwen.....could do with a bit of company!!!!

But I don't want them settling in the walls!

Hi Brenda daughter and son-in-law have had the same problem as you. They put some ant bait staions down and some ant killer in a small dish, but the ants didn't even go near them. Anyway, their next door neighbour told them that there was a report on the radio that a lot of people are having trouble with ants in the house, not sure if the weather has anything to do with it. It suggested that if you put ant killer on a two pence piece near the bait staions and from where they are coming from, they will go for it and take it back to the nest.

They tried it on Sunday night as soon as they were told about it and by Monday morning and since they haven't seen any at all, so hopefully they have got rid of them.

It's amazing that they were going for the powder when it was on the coin but not before.
Might be something to do with the smell of the metal reacting with the powder.

Hope you gat rid of them very soon, they are horrible things.

Sallie.

Mix sugar& baking powder- or Cucumber slice on tin foil where they are coming from
works for me (((A cross the pond))

tracey

when i get ants i use ant powder nipon i think it is called
i put this around the out side wall of the house frount and back garden pluss a little on the inside of the wall the room that the ants are in

only i have no pets so if you go for a powder please check how to use if you have pets

Thanks everyone...I have been trying to find where the ants are coming in...don't seem to be any holes in walls,but have used a few of your ideas...washed skirting boards with mix of citronella and water...used baking powder and sugar on 2p coins..a line of talc ,cinnamon,Pepper etc..if they can survive all that...well!!!
Will see if I am successful tomorrow........Cheers x x

If you are in Hampstead or Kensington make sure you use a 20 pound note instead of 2p - they can be quite picky

Unfortunately,Errol,I only live in North Wales,so they are poor ants...not brought up on rich pickings!!



In other words ,only plebs!

It is earwigs that seem to like living in our house, anyone know how to get rid of them? Please.

£20 note, what do they look like please!

OMG............... I'd be moving house if I saw an earwig in the house !

Sorry ZZzzz,no idea,!!!....about getting rid of said pests or what a £20 note looks like !

Garden ants get in through the tiniest of holes (well they are only little!!!)

But the ones that Dizzi mentioned are the Pharoah ants and they are terrrible.

Lived in a flat many years ago (1 of 12 in a small block) and we all suddenly were inundated with the Pharoah ants. The council had to come out and put poisin in every flat and in every room (even those not affected).

It turned out that one of the flats on the top floor was rented out to a couple of student Doctors from nearby Guys and they had come from there!!!!

They are much much larger than any ants you would normally see in either your garden or your home and if you see them call out a specialist. You cannot use any ordinary insect repellant on this horrible creatures.

buy ant traps from wilkinsons.you get no mess like nippon or ant powder,they are round plastic pieces,you break off the spurs put it where ants maybe coming in and they take the poison to the nests,no more ants,i have these in my porch on the floor and get no ants anymore,i keep one down just in case,these are very effective.maisie

Pharoah Ants if these are the type you have, have to be dealt with by specialists.

Over the counter ant traps/poisins etc., are no good if it is this kind you have.

Your local council's Pest Control will be able to help.

I would also advise that you Google Pharoah Ants so you can verify which type of ant you have and then you can deal with as necessary.