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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask how to get rid of an ant infestation arghhh

46 replies

whoopsiedaisies · 27/06/2018 19:13

We've just come back from four days away, opened the front door and there are hundreds of ants in the hall and kitchen, literally hundreds. On the sinks, taps, windowsills, cupboards, oven, floor- it's rank. Any tips? I don't know where to start.

OP posts:
MrsBartlettforthewin · 27/06/2018 19:15

Nipon, spray it all over them to kill them. Then deep clean and try and work out we're they came from. Put out nipon bate trays and find the nest and spray it too. Or get a man in.

Amalfimamma · 27/06/2018 19:18

Talc and baking soda. Mix it together, sprinkle it over them. They won't die right away but they'll head back to their base and poison the rest of the bastards there too.

HappyGirlNow · 27/06/2018 19:50

These bait stations, killed all ours in a day and no mess or spraying caustic substance..

www.amazon.co.uk/Stop-Station-Home-Defence-Stopper/dp/B004P2TZK0/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=raid+ant+killer&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1530125355&sr=8-5

ToadOfSadness · 27/06/2018 19:54

When you have got rid of them, put a line of lemon juice around the entry point, they don't like to cross it.

Fly killer spray works quickly. Do be careful with whatever you use if you have pets.

Flisspaps · 27/06/2018 19:56

Nippon gel. Amazing stuff, super cheap.

bellinisurge · 27/06/2018 19:57

Get a pest control company in or your local council. Don't mess about or delay.
Voice of bitter bitter experience.

LaurieMarlow · 27/06/2018 19:58

Cinnamon also works, they hate it.

bellinisurge · 27/06/2018 20:13

My dh who has just been through it with me said "To quote Emperor Palpetine 'wipe them out. All of them'". It's the first time he's been able to joke about it. Please use extreme prejudice. We have a cat. The pest company took this into account.

Original poster
whoopsiedaisies · 27/06/2018 21:23

Right so I've sprayed, killed and wiped the buggers. I'm now going to stand in a shower for nine years to get the feel of them off me. Should I expect a repeat performance tomorrow?

OP posts:
GrainOfSalt · 27/06/2018 21:27

Scatter dried polenta round the nests (need a very dry day - which should be easy at the mo) they carry it back to the nests and it wipes them out. I got rid of a red ant nest by my back door in two goes. No harm to pets/kids etc

OopsPardonMrsArden · 27/06/2018 21:31

I read this too quickly and thought you had an "aunt" infestation...

Pinkyponkcustard · 27/06/2018 21:32

If you can work out where they are coming in op use some filler to block the hole and you won’t see them again

Original poster
whoopsiedaisies · 27/06/2018 21:33

@OopsPardonMrsArden I'd invite ALL THE AUNTS to get rid

OP posts:
BeijingBarbie · 27/06/2018 21:35

Apparently they don’t like vinegar so when we had loads I put vinegar on bits of kitchen roll all around the worktop! No idea if it works or not

MrsSteptoe · 27/06/2018 21:35

Absolutely nothing worked. Fucking exoskeletal little bastards, thumbing their proboscises or whatever the plural is. Every summer.

We moved.

MimsyBorogroves · 27/06/2018 21:35

Anteater?

Also, thought people were recommending nipple cream.

possumgoddess · 27/06/2018 21:38

We stayed in a holiday apartment in a Mediterranean country which didn't exactly have an infestation but did have a steady stream of tiny ants coming in through a crack in the tiled skirting. Blocking the entry point with toothpaste worked a treat. Apparently ants don't like the smell of peppermint and the paste itself acted as a barrier.

Sunnyjac · 27/06/2018 22:01

Peppermint. We’d been having problems for a couple of months. Couldn’t get rid. Then discovered they don’t like peppermint. Made some peppermint tea and painted it around where they were walking and they wouldn’t cross it. Found the hole they were coming into the kitchen through and plonked a wet teabag on it. Kept it damp for a couple of days and they moved out. Haven’t returned but I have a stash of peppermint teabags waiting if they do Smile

givemesteel · 27/06/2018 22:10

Great tips everyone.

We had an infestation of carpenter ants so could see where they were coming from.

Just put nippon gel down every day. Takes a couple of weeks but they go eventually.

Original poster
whoopsiedaisies · 27/06/2018 22:27

Thank you all for the advice- fingers crossed it does the trick

OP posts:
FreshHerbs · 27/06/2018 22:28

I have just managed to get rid of an ant infestation. I went on the internet and tried all the vinegar with water solutions, salt, peppermint and lemon. To be honest they don't do anything, maybe a day or two at the most will keep them at bay and they come back. They were just moving from room to room. After stinking out my house with all these hippy remedy's I just toddled off to Poundland and brought two cans of ant killer spray and walla no more ants. Every nook and cranny I sprayed , every surface, all entry points, absolutely everywhere. I cannot tell you how it feels when you have beaten them. Been five days now and I have not seen one ant, this spray is the business, even killed other bugs woodlice etc that we had in the house.

FreshHerbs · 27/06/2018 22:29

The spray kills them in seconds. No waiting days, weeks or months gone gone gone

Lindah1 · 27/06/2018 22:33

Sorry to hijack OP- anyone found a solution for the bastards outside? We have at least 12 nests in the lawn

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 27/06/2018 22:37

Outside my solution has been salt- first boiling water to kille the moving ones then once you find the hole/nest/ gaps in the patio etc. pour table salt in- loads of it. Touch wood this is working so far this year. Hate them too!!!

DesignStatement · 27/06/2018 22:58

OMG - what a horror to come home to OP. Curious - do you live in countryside or city?