Invasion of tiny black ants..need help!

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Mojoquilter Wichita, KS(Zone 6a) May 09, 2009

With all of the rain lately, our entire area is having problems with tiny black ants trying to get in anywhere they can to get away from the water. Is it Borax that you can sprinkle around the foundation to keep them out? ant traps won't solve the immediate problem and I worry about our Golden Retriever chomping on them, he'll chew anything like that. The ants seem harmless, they just cannot move in like they are hoping to:) any eco and dog/cat friendly suggestions are welcome.

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mocatmom Driftwood, TX(Zone 8b) May 10, 2009

Yes - the theory is that Borax put down in a three inch thick strip around your foundation will deter certain insects. Good luck, and let us know if the theory pans out!

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monkapotamus Winston Salem, NC(Zone 7b) May 12, 2009

I have used boric acid products for ants with very good results. When we moved in to our house, there was a huge ant problem, and the previous owners had left giant bottles of whatever nasty toxic stuff they were using, that wasn't doing any good anyway. We started using ant baits called "Terro" -available at places like Home Depot and Target.

Unfortunately, the slower solution to the ants is the more permanent one. The terro products are boric acid mixed in a sweet (corn syrup or sugar) syrup. The ants eat the poison, and then carry it back to the hive, where hopefully, it will kill the queen as well. If the product is only killing the visible ants, she'll keep making more. It wasn't immediate, but then it WAS a permanent fix! Three years later, and no major problems. hooray. It seemed like the previous owners had been spraying the entire time they live here!

Supposedly, boric acid is not very toxic to pets, but it couldn't hurt to do a little research or call the vet and ask. We were able to put out little scraps of paper with the syrup on it inside kitchen cabinets, behind the toe-kicks, and in other places inside where our cat couldn't get at them, and then we did put the larger bait around the exterior. maybe someone has some suggestions for dog-proofing them.

I've used the Borax powder for roaches, or on ant hills directly. It does kill plants.

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