How do I get rid of red ants?

Question

These little buggers are driving me CRAZY! What can I do, short of calling an exterminator, to bait and rid my home of them? They are mainly in my kitchen (yes my counters are clean) where this time they found a strawberry filled candy bar my husband put in the cabinet. They appear to be coming out of the outlets and I have also found them in a basket of clean clothes that had set at the top of the stairs for a day. I'm going crazy! I would like to use the most 'family friendly' DIY approach. THANKS!

Answer 1

Get some Diatomaceous Earth. It is a fine ground organic shale powder. Make sure you get the food grade powder, the industrial powder has a high silica content and is used for pool filters. Sprinkle it around all interior walls and window frames. It has microscopic edges that cut the exoskeleton of most any small household pest, they carry it back to their home and in a few days they are history. With the food grade you can add a small amount to your pets food and it will get rid of any intestinal parasites also. It is not harmful to humans or pets and can be used the same way in food for people.  

Answer 2

You dont   >:)   Mwahahhaa!

Answer 3

Boric Acid mixed 1:10 with powdered sugar or meat gravy/soup set out in jar lids around your kitchen is inexpensive, safe for children and pets, and, is very effective.  They carry it back to the nest and in a few days the house is rid of ants.  You need to re-freshen the baits every day or so.  Boric acid is sold in drugstores as an antiseptic or in garden stores as roach bait.  

Answer 4

Hi, you could have a look at this handy link: http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.uk...

The tips seem to apply to the garden type of red ant, but has the most helpful and family friendly tips to date...They also appear to have a slightly ant friendly slant if like me you like ants but they are just nesting in an inconvenient place!

Try also http://www.woking.gov.uk/planning/envhea... deals also with house red ants.

Best of luck!

Answer 5

If they have made home within your walls, it may be difficult to get rid of them without an exterminator.  You can buy ant bait which when taken into the colony will kill the queens, thus ending the cycle of reproduction.  

The sooner the better !  They multiply at a fantastic rate...