Tracy wrote on Sat, 13 Sep 2008 15:43:26 -0400:

> Dimitri wrote:
>>
>> "Mark Thorson" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> I suppose I should consider myself lucky that it's been
>>> a couple years since the last invasion. They used to be
>>> much more frequent.
>>>
>>> I've never used insecticide. The last time I saw someone
>>> use Raid, it seemed spectacularly ineffective. The ants
>>> were swimming around in the stuff. On the other hand,
>>> I once stopped an ant trail in the bathroom by spraying
>>> Tilex tile cleaner on it. It killed the ants instantly
>>> and the residue kept them from rebuilding the trail.
>>> I might try that again, if I decide to go nuclear.
>>>
>>> Right now, I'm trying to knock down the invasion by hosing
>>> down the ant trail on the outside of the house every couple
>>> of hours. That works during the day, but they build it up
>>> again at night. Ants don't appear to sleep.
>>>
>>> Any other tactical suggestions cheerfully accepted.
>>
>> Boric Acid.
>>
>> http://www.domyownpestcontrol.com/bo...c-114_122.html
>>
>> Dimitri

> I've combined 20 Muleteam Borax (in the laundry aisle) with
> water and a bit of sugar. Soak some cotton balls and tuck them
> around the kitchen. They get sticky so putting the cotton ball
> in a soda bottle cap helps.

Unless you are opposed to pesticides, there are things you can spray on
a trail if you know where it is. The ants don't die immediately and
their relatives eat them thus making the stuff more effective.

--

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not