I don't know what it is about the critters this year but they seem worse than usual. Our toddlers are not bug friendly. Each time they see one, the screaching begins. Mom or Dad has to swoop in, being the SuperHeros that we are, and kill the offending intruder. Ta-Da!
Blue Eyes and I have regular bug service, as we always have, but it's just not cutting it this year. Maybe all the rain? Everytime we run a bath, we have to clean out an earwig or an ant...or two. Not bad, but annoying. I keep finding single ants or ant carcasses all around the house. The scouts are out!
I love to read Organic Gardening. I knew they would have some ideas. They did!
I found this solution formula at organicgardening.com so I am passing it on...
1. Make a solution of 1 percent boric acid (available at any drugstore) and 20 percent sugar by thoroughly dissolving 1 teaspoon of boric acid and 6 tablespoons of sugar in 2 cups of water. Use a clear jar so you can see when all the boric acid crystals are dissolved. Soak cotton balls in this bait solution.
2. Make bait dispensers out of old plastic containers with lids. Punch holes in them so the ants can get inside, then put the soaked cotton balls into the containers and cover them with lids so the bait won’t dry out.
3. Place the bait containers wherever you see ant trails, in or outside the house.
4. Clean the containers and use fresh bait solution at least once a week.
5. Be patient! The key is to get worker ants to continually carry low doses of boric acid back to feed the ants in their nest. Boric acid is mildly repellent to ants, and using a very low dose makes it more likely that surviving ants will continue eating the bait and taking it back to the nest.
I can't wait to see if it helps! Off to the drugstore I go...NO MORE BUGS!!!
We have been lucky so far this year - the ants have stayed out! Nice ot know there is something besides chemicals to keep the bugs away.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great solution! We get that problem every so many years. Hope you get rid of them quick!
ReplyDeleteOh, thanks for stopping by my blog. Your advice is wonderful. :)