Safe ways to kill ants when you have a cat?

[WalkingThePlank]

We've found ants in our kitchen. We'd usually blitz them with ant powder but not we have a cat we can't do that. What's the best way to get rid of them without poisoning the cat?

We buy the little round traps in wilkos.

Yup bait stations. They don't get rid but they keep them under annoying levels.

I must admit I've found the past few days amusing because the cat is being driven to distraction by ants and there's nothing she can do about it. Spiders on the other hand don't stand a chance.

2 in the rooms you see them in and change every 2 weeks. They really don't last longer than that ime.

Dethlac is pet safe once dry. Would really recommend, I wasted so much money on other products and it was so disheartening watching the little blighters carry on regardless. Used dethlac once last summer and haven't had to reapply yet.

For the ants outside I pour boiling water on them. Also very soapy water kills them. Can you use either of these in your kitchen? I got rid of all the ants in my garden last year doing this after years of using powder, spray, traps, vinegar. I really hate ants!

In the kitchen they're coming in from between floor and skirting board. Not sure we can wash down there.

Tiptops - would Dethlac discolour walls/flooring?

I've used it on walls, tiles (ants were coming through gaps in them!) and skirting boards with no problem walking

It comes out as a clear lacquer type spray, and dries invisible. Not sure about using it on floors sorry, but I think it would be fine, just may need applying after each time the floor is mopped.

what about putting tape, like duct tape over the gap between floor and skirting so there is no way in. I have put clear tape around one of my windows because I am sure that is how ants previously got in. Also have some tape at bottom of skirting in bedroom until I get time to fill it.

Another one who uses boiling water here, but again these were outside - ruddy things must have had a huge nest just outside my back door.

In some places in India they leave a little bowl of sugar by the back door so the ants go to that and don't come in. Worth a try until you can kill the little feckers!

Nippon liquid. It comes in a emall tube like toothpaste. You put down a few drops on a non-absorbent surface and they carry it back to their nests. Replenish after rain. You can put in on a coin or stone and place them under or behind cooker, sink, kitchen units, but the ants will find it quicker if it is near their nest. It can kill a nest in a week in warm weather when they are foraging actively.

It is the best ant killer I know.

Got someone in from local council. They sprayed dilute bendiocarb. Safe for kids and pets once dry. Person was a pet owner themselves.

that's great sparky is it expensive to get that done? I think I will get someone out if my ant problem comes back because it is very upsetting having ants in the house. Glad you got it sorted quickly.

Hi. It was 66 quid. Which is more expensive than me buying stuff off Amazon (nippon gel pp mentioned is good) but it was aargh! upstairs in a bedroom and it is harder to be sanguine about that. Cheaper than rentokil etc, though.

That's good. I would definitely pay £66. I used nippon gel and traps but it didnt completely get rid of them. I found the boiling water much better. If they come back I am going to pay someone to come out. Dont think I would sleep at night if they were in my bedroom.

The feckers made their first appearance at 10.30 AT NIGHT ffs. I knew you could book pest control visit via Council website. I booked there and then. They came around next morning.