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Hangblague
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# Posted: 12 Jul 2021 14:38
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I have a small cabin in East Central Saskatchewan. I built it last summer and am not there nearly often enough. There are lots of ants around and recently I found that they are turning my type 2 insulation into powder at an alarming rate.
I am not quite sure how worried I should be or how to best manage this. Does anyone have good experience or knowledge on this? Spraying seems to be one option and repelling powder seems to be another. I also have heard of baiting and poisoning. I can of course do the internet research, but I am interested in your success (or failure) stories.
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darz5150
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# Posted: 12 Jul 2021 15:17 - Edited by: darz5150
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I use everything I can get my hands on.
I live in the.middle of the woods. It's a never ending battle.
Everything works somewhat. At least once a month I spread the multi killer granules around the cabin, camper, all buildings etc. The canned spray is more like a contact killer I believe.
The Terro liquid lasts and works well.
What works best for me it seems is boric acid. And I also spread 20 mule team borax. I mix it with water in a bug sprayer and spray the perimeter of everything and especially all the wood piles. But also just throw handfuls straight out of the box. It's less than $5 bucks a box at Wally World.
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 12 Jul 2021 16:07
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Terro has been my go-to for decades but I admit to doing some spraying with good effect. I used Ant & Roach Killer (brand?) and for some stuff I couldnt open up or have good access to I used some '20' spray' for Hornets figuring that would get in farther than anything else. Must have....
Be sure to protect Yourself from the potential back-spray!
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redneckpaul
Member
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# Posted: 12 Jul 2021 17:54
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Tempo, after spraying keeps killing for 2 weeks. Expensive but very effective, it kills everything
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 13 Jul 2021 05:11
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I have used a 1gal spray from homedepot before. Found a carpenter ants nest in some stickered and stacked lumber in my shed. There was nothing but bodies left after 24hrs. Terro also works and I have used that but slower to work.
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Steve_S
Member
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# Posted: 13 Jul 2021 05:59
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I second Terro ! I live inside a forest with mostly connifers. The sandy loam soil is ANT HEAVEN !
Also another trick which I did not believe till I saw it work incredibly well. Get a box of MuleTeam Borax Powder and sprinkle a 3-4" line a couple of inches from your foundation, the borax is totally OK for the environment but when the ants eat anything that has that on it they throw their legs up in the air. Sprinkle it in early spring and a late summer booster sprinkle.
Optionally, if you get a hand sprayer, add the Borax Powder to Hot Water (heavy dosage) and give your perimeter a good spray and do include the vegetation on the perimiter as well.
This is faster but does not last as long and a really heavy rain can wash it away. The powder will get absorbed by the soil & vegetation somewhat and lasts longer.
BTW, you can "spray" Borax solution on firewood piles (no problem when burnt) so that will negate the buggers there too.
PSST: Many local builder's here using Log or Cordwood (quite popular here) will often soak the cords with Borax and one fellow even uses a mix of Borax & Potassium alum (which is a natural non-toxic fire retardant).
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Steve_S
Member
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# Posted: 13 Jul 2021 06:05
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A small Zekret !
Many long lasting "ant killers" actually use borax mixed with a sweet attractant. You could make your own with honey, a bit of dissolved borax in water, well mixed together BUT the honey/water/borax will also attract other critters and that isn't necessarily a good thing.
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Hangblague
Member
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# Posted: 13 Jul 2021 13:05
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Thanks all for sharing your experience. This is a great help to me.
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Jdub17
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# Posted: 15 Jul 2021 04:59
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darz5150
Thanks for the info,I to use Borax but I mix with sugar 1/2 and1/2 when the aunts eat it they take it back to the colony to kill it off. So far it's worked for me.
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