Looking for NON-TOXIC ways to prevent carpenter ants in new home.?

Question

Just bought house built in 2001 in rural Connecticut. Pest inspectors found no signs of insects when home inspection was done about 2 months ago, but now they are all over the place--even though I have not brought food to the house yet. Pretty sure they are carpenter ants (NOT sugar ants), since I had to deal with this one time 2 years ago at my father's house. The house is in a heavily wooded area, perched just above a wetlands conservation easement area, and I am very concerned, both on a personal and environmental level, about using any form of toxins. I have all kinds of wildlife, including miniature 1/4-inch toads which I don't want to harm. I know this is a difficult situation, and welcome any non-toxic solutions.

Answer 1

Spray cheap vegetable oil around outside base of home in Spring, Fall & after each heavy rain is a deterant.

Need to spray neighboring trees, branches & roof with the basic (yes, and toxic) spray.

There are yellow pellets to through on the yard that they take to their nest.  Areas to toss the pellets should have a screen layed on top of grass, etc.. to avoid birds getting them.

Thoroughly eliminate all 'going dead' or dead branches around or looming above home, carpenter ants are probably in there and soon need additional room - - your inner walls will be next.

Catch an ant and with a magnifying glass look at the top of the rear section.  If see couple of light colored yellow hairs, it is carpenter ants.

Answer 2

Use a mix of cinnamon and sugar. The ants will pick up the sugar, along with the cinnamon, and take it back to their queen. Ants can’t digest cinnamon and once the queen dies from not being able to digest the cinnamon the colony will die without her.  I find that this works better than any poison!

Answer 3

Here is a site with good information on carpenter ants.  

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distributio...

Answer 4

I use 20 mule team borax. It is all natural and biodegradable. Place it around the base of the house and in all the window frames. Insects do not like to walk across powdery substances.

Answer 5

I did some research on ants in general and wrote an article.  It may be handy for you:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2358495_rid-hous...

Answer 6

First, if you try cinnamon and sugar, it won't work. Ants will separate the cinnamon and just eat the sugar. They're not ravenous, blind, mindless eating machines... they know what's in their mouth.

There is no non-toxic way to prevent carpenter ants. I understand your concern about being environmentally friendly and trying to protect the little frogs, but remember something: You've invaded the carpenter ants' home by having a house there... not the other way around.

The ants don't care if you don't want them there. They're going to do their very best to preserve their species. Unless you move, you will have carpenter ants.

A careful pest control technician will be able to prevent carpenter ants without harming any frogs.  Here's what he'll do:

1. Cut or advise you to cut all branches of trees and bushes at least one foot away from the home.

2. Replace or advise you to replace all weatherstripping that is damaged around windows and doors.

3. Caulk or advise you to caulk all exterior openings around pipes, windows and other wall penetrations.

4. Clean or advise you to clean your gutters, if you have any.

5. Bait or spray for carpenter ants at their nesting sites if they can be found.

6. Spray, not bait, to produce a barrier around your home against carpenter ants.

Depending on the technique, you may only need this done once a year. Twice would be better.

Before you hire anyone, make them come out and walk you through the process they will take to do the job, each and every step. If the guy just wants to spray, don't hire him. If he wants to use is "power sprayer", don't hire him. Find someone who takes you seriously and will do his best to accomplish all of the goals you listed.

Oh, and check out the website before you try using grits.