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Ants! Floridians dn those in the tropics

junglegalfla

By junglegalfla
in OHANA NUI  -  OFF TOPIC SUB-FORUM

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junglegalfla Veteran

junglegalfla

Posted
Posted

I keep a really clean house (HEPA, whole 9 yards, have animals & allergic to them) but dang, the ants have been terrible this year for me. Any one else seeing this in FL? I have the little sugar ants which attack my cat's food daily and also the big black ones.

I've moved all mulch away from the foundation knowing that it can make them try to get in the house.

This last year I had my attic sprayed with newspaper based insulation treated w/ borax. I'm wondering if that is what's making them come down?

Is it the drought conditions we had or what? I try to stay organic but I am seriously thinking about calling in a bug person for the first time in 6 yrs here.

I live in an old 1926 florida cracker home but it's been upgraded to the hill. I just don't know what I should do. I know bugs and Florida are expected & I only  pick up 3-6 dead  palmetto bugs a year but these ants are driving me nuts.

BTW, I use fresh bay leafs as a natural deterrent for the roaches. I use pine bark around the jungle and I see a lot of them out there. Inside it works like a charm! I keep a small tree and put the leaves behind furniture etc. Never see them! Now if I could just find something like that for ants :angry:

Bren in South St. Pete Florida

_Keith Grand Master

_Keith

Posted
Posted

Well, I am not in Florida, but here in S. Louisiana I can tell you this is the worst year for ants I have seen at my place, and ants of all kinds, some of which I have never seen before.  Maybe it is our long running series of warm winters now.  Not sure, but the ants have been much worse.

In my post I sometimes express "my" opinion. Warning, it may differ from "your" opinion. If so, please do not feel insulted, just state your own if you wish. Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or any other damages

BS Man about Palms Grand Master

BS Man about Palms

Posted
Posted

Out here, the drier it is they move inside looking for water, when its "normal rain" we don't have much problems.

Zone 10a at best after 2007 AND 2013, on SW facing hill, 1 1/2 miles from coast in Oceanside, CA. 30-98 degrees, and 45-80deg. about 95% of the time.

"The great workman of nature is time."   ,  "Genius is nothing but a great aptitude for patience."

-George-Louis Leclerc de Buffon-

I do some experiments and learning in my garden with palms so you don't have to experience the pain! Look at my old threads to find various observations and tips!

amazondk Grand Master

amazondk

Posted
Posted

Bren,

I have used a product here made from Neem oil that worked realy good at getting rid of ants.  One thing that we have a lot of here is ants in all sizes and variations.  And, a lot of them bite as well.  I know that there are products in the States made of Neem.

dk

Don Kittelson

 

LIFE ON THE RIO NEGRO

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Altitude 92 Meters / 308 feet above sea level

1,500 kms / 932 miles to the mouth of the Amazon River

 

Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil - A Cidade da Floresta

Where the world´s largest Tropical Rainforest embraces the Greatest Rivers in the World. .

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Click here to visit Amazonas

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Al in Kona Grand Master

Al in Kona

Posted
Posted

Hey I'm gonna tell you like it is even tho there will be some here that don't want to hear, or are in denial of the possitive aspects of the Coqui tree frogs that have 'arrived' (or those against them would use the verb 'infested') and settled into many areas of Hawaii, especially the Big Island.  The Coqui has been given a bad rap by the media mainly because of the evening noise they make (especially during damp rainy periods).  It is known that ants are one of the main food items of tree frogs and that certainly has been our experience here.  We used to be infested with ants, inside and outside at times, or I probably should say much of the time, despite being very careful to keep food items, crumbs , etc., cleaned up everywhere.  Only after the tiny Coqui tree frogs became evident here did the ant problem literally disapear.  It is so nice not to have to spot spray poisons anywhere anymore.  I would never have believed there would be such a dramatic change had we not experienced it ourselves.  I, however, wouldn't advise you go introduce these frogs to your area unless you know it's not against the law or you have your neighbors approval first!

Hawaii Island (Big Island), leeward coast, 19 degrees N. latitude, south Kona mauka at approx. 380m (1,250 ft.) and about 1.6 km (1-mile) upslope from ocean.

 

No record of a hurricane passing over this island (yet!).  

Summer maximum rainfall - variable averaging 900-1150mm (35-45") - Perfect drainage on black volcanic rocky soil.  

Nice sunsets!

palmislandRandy Grand Master

palmislandRandy

Posted
Posted

For sugar ants, use Terro @ Publix or HD. A couple of drops on a piece of paper (away from pets). Let them eat, and take it back to the nest, 2 days gone!  Randy

"If you need me, I'll be outside" -Randy Wiesner Palm Beach County, Florida Zone 10Bish

  • 2 weeks later...
Walter John Grand Master

Walter John

Posted
Posted

Anybody get termites (white ants) ?

Happy Gardening

Cheers,

Wal

Queensland, Australia.

DoomsDave Grand Master

DoomsDave

Posted
Posted

(Wal @ Jan. 13 2008,03:49)

QUOTE
Anybody get termites (white ants) ?

WHO DOESN'T????

Seriously?

Cooke 'em and eat 'em, taste like peanuts . . .

UIGH

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

BS Man about Palms Grand Master

BS Man about Palms

Posted
Posted

Wal, most of our termites are in the walls (not you) :)  ...........  :(

Zone 10a at best after 2007 AND 2013, on SW facing hill, 1 1/2 miles from coast in Oceanside, CA. 30-98 degrees, and 45-80deg. about 95% of the time.

"The great workman of nature is time."   ,  "Genius is nothing but a great aptitude for patience."

-George-Louis Leclerc de Buffon-

I do some experiments and learning in my garden with palms so you don't have to experience the pain! Look at my old threads to find various observations and tips!

Mike4284m Community Regular

Mike4284m

Posted
Posted

If you can pick up some Boric Acid you can mix it with some sugar and water.  We leave it out in little dishes and within a few days there isn't an ant in site.  Just like the Terro already mentioned, they carry it back to the nest and kill off the whole group.

We've noticed quite a few ants this year and assumed it was because we just moved into a new place.  I think we've had to make the deadly brew twice so far since this summer.

South Florida

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