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Ant treatments PDF Print E-mail

Most ants in the house are more of a nuisance than a danger...

Bull ants and jumping ants may be dangerous but they rarely enter houses. The most common house ants, including even argentine ants, can be managed by effective alternatives which are safer but may take more time than applying pesticides.

Alternatives
Seal entry holes if ants are indoors. If possible, locate the nest by following the trail. Then pour boiling water down nuisance ant nests (such as meat ants or bull ants) and spray the ants as they emerge (Make sure you wear boots and be prepared to run!).

Any spray containing pyrethrins can be used. Baits such as a borax/sugar mixture or non-toxic commercial baits should be placed near possible entries. In addition, a powder containing pyrethrins may be puffed down the holes where the ants enter the house. These treatments should be repeated every few days until the ants disappear.

Avoid leaving food and food residues about. If you choose to use a pest control company, request that they use ant baits with low-hazard chemicals, instead of general spraying which is ineffective against ants.