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Original poster

ARGH! Ants!

132 replies

GeorginaA · 21/02/2004 10:04

Well, it's about time for my weekly hormonal panic...

Dh has just informed me that he found four ants by the sofa this morning. He duly removed them, but I'm now rather worried. How likely are we to suddenly get a horde of them running through?

It's really bizarre - the sofa is nowhere near the door and I didn't really think it was ant season - still quite cold outside. Thought this was really a summer problem.

If we do get a load, what's the safest way to remove them? I have a 2 year old and I'm 26 weeks pregnant so I'm reluctant to have any chemicals in the house. Previously when we've had ants we've only had them outside so we could pour kettles of hot water down... not really as easy inside on the carpet!

OP posts:
Levanna · 25/03/2004 23:41

I know the feeling Georgina! After a particularly grosesque, ant related episode today, I spoke with my local city councils pest control department. They charge a £15 flat rate to eradicate them, and given the fact I'm eventually bound to spend at least that throughout the summer trying to get rid of them myself, I've decided it's well worth it for an ant free home! He assured me it will clear this years lot up . He also said that there seems ot be an epidemic of ant infestations this year - they started getting calls about them mid winter, and at this stage they're inundated! So, looks like I'm not a dirty, slovenly bugger after all (at least, that's not what my ant infestation's caused by ). Maybe something like this would be an option for others too?

Levanna · 25/03/2004 23:48

....sorry, should have added that they (pest control) do it by spraying outside lower walls and vents, and inside skirting with a barrier/poisen that they'll (ants!) take back to kill the queen. He said it's safe to use in a house which is home to a toddler and baby, but that they'd (obviously!) need to be out while they were spraying....

popsycal · 26/03/2004 08:57

i may end up doing this.........we have never had swarms but there were 2 on the sofa last night....can put up with them on the floor but not on the sofa....stuff nto working

Original poster
GeorginaA · 26/03/2004 13:01

We may end up doing this too, although I'm reluctant to before the baby's born and a few months old at least... argh.

Nippon liquid seems to have reduced the numbers (on day 12 now) but certainly hasn't seemed to eradicate them. I even dreamed about giant ants invading last night!

Don't know what to do, whether to get the pest control people in or not

OP posts:
popsycal · 26/03/2004 13:02

georgina - the nippon liquid you have? is it in a tube? i am tryiong to avoid using it during the day as ds is around.....need something toddler friendly....

Joso · 26/03/2004 14:21

We also have the little buggers in our kitchen. I bought a tube of nippon from local hardware shop but people keep mentioning using Nippon with traps. I've only got a single tube can I get the traps from B n' Q?

popsycal · 26/03/2004 14:22

i have the same as joso and was wondering the same thing.....

Original poster
GeorginaA · 26/03/2004 16:16

It is a 50ml tube and it came with two traps. To be ultra cautious I've situated the traps where ds can't touch (down the side of the fridge in the kitchen - there's enough gap and underneath the bottom part of a low coffee table in the dining room). Ds also knows not to touch them though.

They're quite low and thin (although a little wide) so they're quite easy to situate under things to stop inquisitive fingers. Obviously you need to site them near where you've seen lots of ants to encourage use!

OP posts:
StuartC · 27/03/2004 13:49

I've never used the traps - do they allow you to refresh the gel frequently (once or twice daily - absolutely essential)?

Original poster
GeorginaA · 27/03/2004 14:53

Yep, we still refresh them daily.

OP posts:
Mog · 27/03/2004 16:18

We get ants every summer but they started coming in about a week age. Anyone know why they are coming out so early this year?

StripyMouse · 28/03/2004 12:04

we have an ant problem too - have been using the Nippon gel to wipe out the little beasts but they just keep coming back for more..and more...and more. I reckon they have developed a super strain and are gaining strength from my Nippon instead of being wiped out! I have been using the stuff for nearly two weeks and no sign of total anihilation yet. Interesting to see so many others with this problem - it is the earliest i have ever known them to be around.

Original poster
GeorginaA · 28/03/2004 12:06

Day 14 here and still antified. Less of them than there were, but still not eradicated. Little six-legged bastards.

OP posts:
Lisa78 · 28/03/2004 13:34

Yuck yuck and thrice yuck!
Am not infested, touch wood, but having read this, if I see so much as one ant, I am just going to ring rentokil, I don't care if it costs £10 per ant

popsycal · 28/03/2004 14:17

all is quite on the ant front.......touch wood

StuartC · 04/04/2004 12:19

GeorginaA - what's the current status?
Who's winning - you and nippon or the ants?

Original poster
GeorginaA · 04/04/2004 12:26

Thanks for asking, Stuart

Hmm... bit of an impasse to be honest. There are still ants, but not the hordes that there were. We're still putting down fresh Nippon every night. They're not annoying enough to warrant getting the council or rentokil in, but they're not particularly eradicated either.

Must have got a hardy lot here

OP posts:
popsycal · 10/04/2004 20:14

saw 2 today after a week of none

Original poster
GeorginaA · 10/04/2004 20:17

Snap - had 2 today after 2 days of none. Had started to get hopeful...

OP posts:
yamamoto · 10/04/2004 22:45

Why not invest in an anteater..? V cheap to run as you will not have to feed, should be a healthy second hand market by the sounds of this thread..!

popsycal · 10/04/2004 22:47

pmsl!!!
we could advertise him on the noticeboard!!

yamamoto · 11/04/2004 11:43

Him...

hallyhupthebarber · 11/04/2004 11:54

Male anteaters are 20% heavier than their female friends.. will eat more!

littlemissbossy · 12/04/2004 10:22

have forgotten you, pest control guy away for the weekend, i'll post his advice a.s.a.p

champs · 12/04/2004 17:36

I HATE ANTS.......... they have arrived.

i hate hate hate HATE them.
has any one tried those electronic pest killer things?

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