Ant problem in my bathroom?

Question

...and they are only in my bathroom. I have cats and a dog so I need a non-toxic way to get rid of them (the ants that is lol). They started all around my toilet but now the are IN MY TUB... so gross!! I also have the bigger flying ant-looking-bugs that were coming out from the drain in the bathroom sink. I poured bleach down the drain and that pretty much cleared that problem but there are a few little flyers remaining.

I realize there are probably hundreds of questions and answers to my problem if I dig deep enough but I don't have time. Anyone have any NON-TOXIC fool-proof ways of dealing with this problem??? Thanks a bunch!! (oh and if this helps, I live in southern Vermont)

Answer 1

Get an exterminator or you could go to your local store and buy some insect repellant.  I know that chalk works on ants, they can't stand it.

Answer 2

Ants need water.  If it's been dry they could be coming into the house to get it.  If they are large ants (not the kind that cover food if left around) then they are likely carpenter ants.  



You have two issues to consider: One, if they are carpenter ants and they have a nest in the house, they indicate that you could have some rotting wood in the house, since that's what they eat.  This is obviously a larger problem than the ants themselves.  

If you don't have any rotting wood, get some diatamaceous (die-a-tem-a-shus) earth.  You can find this where they sell swimming pool supplies, although it will be in larger amounts than you need.  You can also check with a pet shop that specializes in fish, as it is also used in aquarium filters.  I have found something called "Ant Stop" in the local department store that the main ingredient is the diatamaceous  earth, plus a minute amount of pyrthrins, and it's safe to use around food.

It's a very fine powder, and you put it around the perimeter of the room, and behind the base boards if you can.  It works because the powder is actually razor sharp and it cuts the ants if they go through it killing them.  It does nothing to people or pets.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I have(had) ants in my house too.I use crushed red pepper to out line my rooms with.I don't have ants running around anymore.Its safe and non-toxic for children and pets.I've read you can mix it (red pepper) with baking soda too.I don't know what the baking soda does,but I use straight pepper,and the ants stopped coming.It does need to be replaced periodically.hope this helps.

Answer 4

Get some food grade diatomaceous earth. It is a fine white powdered organic bug killer. Sprinkle it around the baseboard of all exterior walls in your home and any bug or insect that crawls through it is a goner. If you get the food grade DE it is not harmful to you, your family, or your pets. You can put it on your pets for fleas and ticks, put it in their food to get rid of worms, and put it in your food to get rid of intestinal parasites. I even dust me chickens with it to get rid of and lice or mites once it gets cold enough that my honeybees will not be out for a week or more. It will kill them also, so you should be careful when useing it outside, and we need all the honeybees we can get. It will stick to the ants and spiders or whatever other pests it gets on and they will take it back to their nests and kill them also, if they make it that far. I have been useing it for about 6 months and have not had any pests inside since. Just make sure you ask for FOOD GRADE, the regular has a good amount of silica in it and is hazardous.

Answer 5

Well call an exterminator, or just go to an ace and pick up bug repelent

Answer 6

I moved into a new house and had all kinds of bugs (including ants).  I bought the Ortho Home Defense stuff at Lowe's. You spray it around the outside and inside perimeter of your house, and doors and windows. The label says that once it dries, it's safe for animals to be around it. I have a dog and a cat. I sprayed about 2 months ago, and the bugs are gone (thank goodness!), and my animals are fine.