Ant poison? Natural alternatives?

Question

The termite inspector said we have a huge ant problem near the back door of the house we're buying. He wants to pump 4 gallons of poison every ten feet under our house to kill off every bug in sight. It's warranteed for 20 years!!! Can you imagine how toxic that stuff must be?

I have two small children, and I don't want to pump gallons of toxins under my house. But I really don't want them playing in ants, and I don't want the ants to come in the house.

What can I do to reduce the ant population in my yard and keep them from coming in the house?

Thank you!

Answer 1

I feel your pain with your kids health but think about it... there are ants that eat through wood...so its inevitable that you have to treat it.

shy of your kids eating the dirt there shouldnt be an issue. You could ask for water lines to be marked so you can know if he is going to be treating anywhere a waterline is just to avoid cross contamination.

Answer 2

locate the nest and pour a pot of boiling water on it

Answer 3

Besides buying a gross of ant-eaters, I'd suggest you let the professionals deal with it.

Especially, since you are buying the house, and you might get the sellers to pay for it, if you haven't signed the contract yet.

Ant-poison will not harm dogs or humans, because it effects the nervous system of insects only.

Ants are a real nuisance in the house, and some of them will eat wood too, like termites, it's often hard to differentiate between termites and some ants.

Answer 4

There is a new extermination material being advertised in SoCal, and it is the injection of orange oil into whatever crevice is available. Apparently it works for termites and is warranted for 3 years.

Termites and ants are closely related, so it should work on ants, too.

Answer 5

Ants will eat cornmeal and die, it releases a gas into their body which will cause them to explode, they'll take it to the colony, and the colony will eat it.