How do I get rid of ants if I can't find their nest and they don't touch the bait anymore

Question

The smallest amount of sweets left behind in my kitchen attracts hundreds of ants. I live in a very old house and i don't know where their nest is. I put ant bait out what the ants are supposed to take with them to their queen. But now after a couple of weeks, they refuse to touch it.

Answer 1

1. Change the location and type of bait.  The syrup boric acid works for me. Use the drops and also the garden stakes.

2.  Follow the trail.  If you find the location where they emerge from their nest use gasoline, a small amount, directly on the hole.  Yes you will contaminate the ground, but you will make it unacceptable to them as well.  Mine relocated their nest after treatment.

3.  Wipe them out with attrition.  I use a mixture of liquid dish soap and water in a spray bottle.  Leave sugar for them on an easy to spray and wipe spot and just keep killing them.  The soap takes a few minutes to work then wipe them up.  Gradually fewer and fewer will return.  If you do not wipe them up they will take the dead back for recycling.

Answer 2

Try this lay out some bounce fabric softener sheets at the spots where they usually trail in.  Someone sent me a email for various uses one of which was for ants.  There are many that say it doesn't work and that might be true, however they worked for me.  Nothing ventured ,nothing gained.

We set them under the cat food bowls and it keeps the ants OUT!

Maybe it will work for you.

Below is a link that might help you in spraying the perimeter of you house without using harmful chemicals

Popular Botanical Pesticides

Neem...(is humane it repells rather than kill)

Rotenone

Pyrethrin

Sabadilla

http://vegetablegardens.suite101.com/art...

The link below has several make at home recipies

Non-toxic and Homemade Remedies

http://www.eartheasy.com/grow_nat_pest_c...

There are several products on the market if you prefer to buy.

  

Answer 3

I have been given a recipe that has really worked for me. Although it did not get rid of them totally (they do live underground where we can't reach them) as long as i kept spraying the area every now and then,i did keep them at bay.

To repel ants I mix  approximately 10-12 crushed garlic cloves with 1-3 tablespoon of cayenne pepper or Tabasco in 4-5 cups of warm water, steep for a few hours or even over night, then strain it well and put it into spray bottle adding some dish-washing liquid.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

I used terro,grants had an exterminator out and still  have them I heard borax works but i have pets that may eat it