I have the exterminator coming, but I'd love to hear about any successful methods of getting rid of ants indoors. We are on the 2nd floor and the trees outside were trimmed, so they aren't getting in like that. But, it does look like the entry point is either the window or the radiator beneath.
It may take a couple weeks and visits...
You would think in the 21st century there would be a more scientific way of handling this.
We now have the exterior of the house treated each summer with no more issues.
When putting the gel down leave the dead ants for the entire week. Ants eat their dead and you want them to bring food back to the nest to poison the colony, hopefully the queen.
Terro makes convenient bait stations with sugar/borax:
I installed a new security system last year, and accidentally forgot to properly seal one of the entry points for a cat 6 run. Could have just built an ant farm instead.
Good one!
I used to spray them with ammonia when I was a kid. Probably only killed the ones on the outside of the nest, rather than the nest itself
Small and brown are likely "sweet ants" and Terro will do the trick. We see them every year.... mostly in the kitchen & bathrooms. They take the bait back to the nest(s) and kill the colony. Takes a week or so.
Terro makes convenient bait stations with sugar/borax:
Protexall Ant Kill - ( New Window )
Yep. Can get it online too.
As for spray foam, I think they all work pretty well. Great Stuff is the biggest brand. Keep in mind it’s for larger gaps. For 1/4 inch and less, use caulk.
Also, test with it a bit before you use it for real. It expands a lot, and it can be a sticky mess.
Search for Dupont Advion ant gel bait (30grams) - use this for ants already in your house. They'll eat it for a couple days then it will kill off the colony. Use a small dab as close as possible to their entry points.
Then try to get Temprid SC (made by Bayer), and a garden sprayer to dilute it in water. Spray your foundation outside and your baseboards inside where you've seen ants appear. When it dries it crystallizes and continues to provide protection for about 45-60 days, and becomes safe to touch.
If you have mulch or sandy areas around your house buy a pellet ant bait and spread it in those areas. You can also use the gel bait in a busy ant area outside - as long as you place it in a discreet spot where an animal won't eat it.
The insecticides are little expensive but they do work. Spray early spring and reapply every 60 days until the weather turns cold and it should control your ant issues.
Terro also makes outdoor bait stations that are designed to stand up to outdoor conditions.