Ants!

[Jujuj]

Moved into a new house last November, old cottage with the original kitchen tiles, lots of small gaps under the skirting board.

Over past couple of weeks I kept finding the odd ant in the bathroom and kitchen. This morning we came downstairs and they were everywhere, in the bathroom and kitchen - including the bath/sink/in cupboards! Also two random slugs had crawled in too, what the hell.

Can’t find where they’re coming from - feels like it’s everywhere - different points under the skirting board all round the rooms - so can’t put boiling water down as I can’t see the nest or pinpoint where they’re coming from.

Have a dog and a 2 year old so worried about putting ant powder down. Have put down bait stations. House isn’t terribly messy, we hover everyday and mop once a week.

AIBU to think I should call a pest control agency if it doesn’t get better in a week? Considering it’s only February so the situation is likely to just get worse.

Husband doesn’t agree and thinks it’s a waste of money, so would like to know what you’d do.

YABU - you should tackle it yourself with different methods

YANBU - get it sorted with a pest control company before it gets worse

Ants- they will not cross a line of chalk. Put it around the perimeter of affected rooms.

Slugs-Put a pint glass of beer out side of where you think the entry point is-this will attract the slugs and hopefully stop them coming inside....then you and hubby have a pint yourselves to cheers a critter free house!

Buy a bottle of peppermint essential oil (it's cheap). Put some on a cottonball or smear it via a soaked cottonball anywhere you see them, or at entry points. They hate it, and will leave.

For me the ant bait that comes in a syringe got rid of the problem. I put it behind furniture to prevent kid/animal access and wiped it off once the ant problem ended.

I work in the field. It's a waste of money. Feel free to pm me and I can talk to you at length about this :).

Best advice is just to seal all gaps... sounds like a window is ajar, a trickle vent is open, gaps in the wood etc. Sealant is your friend.

They won't find anything to eat in the bathroom, which is why you're only getting scouts. Are you absolutely sure they're ants and not other bugs? (Just checking).

Pm me any questions. I actually keep/ breed ant colonies so there's not much I can't answer.

Decs!

Antstop worked for ants for me. They take the stuff back to their nest and it poisins them all.

These really work. The poison is in the station so safe for use around animals.

@Jujuj don't do this as peppermint essential oil is toxic to dogs.

Same for me. Safe around pets and children, effective.

Thanks all, really helpful.