Can I bleach my patio?

[storybrooke]

There's a rational dilemma behind this stupid question...

We found a couple of ants inside our house in the kitchen/diner two weeks ago, it is hoovered twice a day, spot cleaned as and when and steamed usually each night, sometimes each other night. So, dh put some poison on pennies on the patio, although the ants are now ignoring them and are doing their own thing outside, the problem inside seems to have stopped for now.

The poison has leaked off a couple of the pennies (now removed safely) so I'm worried about letting the kids out as there are blobs on the patio, they're 2&3 so won't be careful. So can I bleach it all, rub in it in with a brush and rinse it all? If not how can I safely remove the traces? Help I'm turning neurotic

[cozietoesie]

There is likely a period after which the poison has 'degraded' in the open environment and is no longer toxic to children. Do you remember what your DH used?

[storybrooke]

Thanks for replying, the fresher stuff has only been out 3 days. It's the poison meant for the white case thing that they're meant to crawl in to get to it, no idea of the name and it's locked in the shed (key with him)!

[SoupDragon]

I would just hose it down.

Will your children be licking the patio? :o

[storybrooke]

Hopefully not but will sit down/chalk/touch/lay down and scream/ water it.

[SoupDragon]

You are planning to use one harmful substance (bleach) to remove another (ant poison)

I would seriously just rinse it down with water. :)

[celeste83]

I don't see how bleach will clean away another chemical. Bleach is pretty useless at cleaning. All bleach does is disinfect.

[storybrooke]

Thanks for the replies

See that's what I needed to know, I've hosed and brushed it down a few times so hopefully that'll do the trick!

Anyone have any less toxic ways of stopping or deterring ants from getting in? I'm convinced there weren't any food scraps luring them and think they came in a vent I can't seal

[celeste83]

Do you know where the nest is?

[whatevva]

Rentokil ant and crawling insect spray round the places they are getting in will stop them. I can't seem to get it now so use another brand these days and it seems ok. You may need to reapply it if they decide to have another go, but usually they give up.

Look at where they are getting in, then spray that on the outside of the house. If it is something that should be filled (like mastic round the windows, or mortar under the door frames) then repair it thoroughly.

You can't really kill them all off - they will continue to dig up the patio but you can put them off by brushing regularly and with the hot water left in the kettle (also a good weedkiller).

I live in a very ant-infested area. People surround their houses with ant powder. After a while, they just walk over it, and it looks a mess.

[cozietoesie]

An organic gardener near me recommended a mix of icing sugar and baking powder if I recall. I haven't tried it but she swore by it.

[whatevva]

I have tried icing sugar and bicarb and also stuff they are supposed to take to their nests, but they are not fooled!!

I have just re-read my post and it is the ants that walk over the ant powder.
(It sounds like people are walking in it and spreading it around, which the possibly are).