Ants on Kitchen Counter----How to Treat?
#3248621
07/31/24 01:23 PM
07/31/24 01:23 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,325 New Jersey
Powerflow
OP
pro stock
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OP
pro stock
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,325
New Jersey
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We noticed ants on our kitchen counter and need some ideas on how to get rid of them. I set a few Terro ant baits and sprayed the counter with a 'kills on contact' aerosol spray. It made them go away for a few days and now they're back. My wife says 'call an exterminator' but I believe they'll use pretty much the same stuff we have (plus I'm frugal...). Any suggestions on what to try? Thanks for any guidance.
Harold
Last edited by Powerflow; 07/31/24 01:40 PM.
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Re: Ants on Kitchen Counter----How to Treat?
[Re: topside]
#3248629
07/31/24 01:53 PM
07/31/24 01:53 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,579 Eagle, Idaho
Neil
The Doctor is in.
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The Doctor is in.
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,579
Eagle, Idaho
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Find the hole they are getting in and block it off. Ants go where the food is, so no food that means they will find a better opportunity elsewhere.
Last edited by Neil; 07/31/24 02:55 PM.
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Re: Ants on Kitchen Counter----How to Treat?
[Re: 71TA]
#3248672
07/31/24 06:02 PM
07/31/24 06:02 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,907 fredericksburg,va
cudaman1969
Itch Nutz
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Itch Nutz
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,907
fredericksburg,va
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Spray counter and ants with Windex, kills on contact, the vinegar type. You could mix up some cheap. It Leaves no trails to go back home, they have their own GPS, scent or taste, whatever they call it. Could get a big magnifying glass and burn each one also. Set up a picnic in the yard they’ll go there first.
Last edited by cudaman1969; 07/31/24 06:03 PM.
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Re: Ants on Kitchen Counter----How to Treat?
[Re: roadrunninMark]
#3248755
08/01/24 09:24 AM
08/01/24 09:24 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,800 St. Louis, Missouri area
Cometstorm
"Beat It"
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"Beat It"
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,800
St. Louis, Missouri area
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If you are getting a lot of rain, it causes the ants to seek shelter. Most sprays get washed out for all the rain too. A good product is Ortho Home Defense. You can spray inside and outside, says it is safe for pets after the areas have been treated. I've used it for a few years, mainly outside but some inside. I do have pets and they weren't affected by it. It will keep the ants out for a while until it gets washed off (outside) or needs reapplying (inside). The best thing is to find the ant mounds outside and eliminate them. That’’s my “go to” as well. Each Spring and Fall, I spray the outer foundation, and all window/door frames. Also the basement (floor perimeter, and basement ceiling perimeter). Sometime in a hot mid summer, we’ll get kitchen counter ants. I just spray some Home Defense (not much) at the kitchen backsplash surround, and under the sink. Zaps ‘em good!
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Re: Ants on Kitchen Counter----How to Treat?
[Re: 71TA]
#3248773
08/01/24 10:14 AM
08/01/24 10:14 AM
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,861 Holland MI Ottawa
2boltmain
master
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master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,861
Holland MI Ottawa
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I had rentals (and an old porus house in an old Detroit area neighborhood). I swear the pest control companies were spraying sugar water because the ants never left and the pest company had a new life long customer.
So I searched the web. Foud DIY Pest Control in FL. I bought their professional products and a GOOD stanless spray pump jug. Would spray around the permieter of my house and damn if the ants didnt tell thier buddies to stay the hell away from THAT house. Just sprayed once or twice a year and NO ants.
I recently moved to an island. Its bug central. Mostly spiders and carpenter ants (THOSE ARE THE BIG BLACK ONES ANY THEY ARE BIG TROUBLE - they eat your house from the inside out and are like termites). I have to spray monthly out there because of so many pests, so much moisture and all the end of the world rains we've been getting.
The store brand stuff is a GIGANTIC waste of money. Like store brand medicine vs prescribed stuff. NO comparison. Just wasting money.
I had to call a pro for carpenter ants in 2018. All my store-bought stuff did nothing. It took him two visits and they were irradicated. He told me what he uses is not available to the public. Since then, I go around my house with granules once a month to keep a new colony from entering. So far so good.
Keep old mopars alive.
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Re: Ants on Kitchen Counter----How to Treat?
[Re: 318 Stroker]
#3248924
08/02/24 05:24 AM
08/02/24 05:24 AM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 630 boston mass-moving to long isl...
massdaytona
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 630
boston mass-moving to long isl...
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I've had good luck with Terro Liquid Ant Baits. Comes in a small clear plastic container. Break off the end and put them on the kitchen counter. Takes a few days but they carry it back to the nest and they are finally gone. Works well. i have 1 dozen of em all around the counters, behind draws.... and they still keep coming..
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Re: Ants on Kitchen Counter----How to Treat?
[Re: Powerflow]
#3248943
08/02/24 08:17 AM
08/02/24 08:17 AM
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,440 St. Charles, MO
wingman
Uncreative Title
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Uncreative Title
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,440
St. Charles, MO
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We use the Advion and Optigard gel baits. Professional stuff. It attracts them to feed, Then they take it back to the nest and feed it to the ants back at the nest. Takes a week but they are gone for good. We had no luck with the Terro and the homeowner-level stuff from the big-box stores. The ants ignored it. Sprays like Home Defense will kill the ants you can see but does nothing to get rid of the nest that you can't see. They kept coming back.
Last edited by wingman; 08/02/24 08:18 AM.
1969 Dodge Coronet Super Bee 383 A4 1970 Plymouth Road Runner 440 FC7 (sold)
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Re: Ants on Kitchen Counter----How to Treat?
[Re: moparx]
#3249000
08/02/24 11:14 AM
08/02/24 11:14 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,751 md
mopars4ever
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,751
md
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Throw some food on the floor and they won`t go up on the counters
Time just gets away from us I`m here until I`m not
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Re: Ants on Kitchen Counter----How to Treat?
[Re: mopars4ever]
#3249031
08/02/24 01:00 PM
08/02/24 01:00 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,064 S.E. Michigan
ZIPPY
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,064
S.E. Michigan
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I use triazicide around the house perimeter outside, and diatomaceous earth on the inside perimeter in known trouble areas.
The drier the weather is overall, I find the more often I have to apply. They are pavement ants. When the weather is wet like it's been here lately, they tend to stay away and I hardly have to do anything. If I run sprinklers outside often enough/thoroughly enough during dry spells, I see alot less.
The real trick is to find their trail(s) from outside to inside and to learn their behavior and likes/dislikes and what they are attracted to. Once you recognize a potential trail, if you dust that with diatomaceous earth they will stop very quickly. Plus it's non-toxic to pets and humans.
Rich H.
Esse Quam Videri
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