Safest way to get rid of ants

[*LittleMissSummer*]

I've just noticed DP's computer room is riddled with ants. From what i can tell there isnt a food source of any sort so thinking maybe the rain has brought them in..

I don't like using chemicals around the children, particularly sprays that can get into their lungs.

What's a safe way to get rid of them?

Now ill really be telling him to spray outside the house again, we are just filling up with insects and spiders!

[NicNac]

If you can find where they are coming in, there is a product called ant sand or similar that you can sprinkle around that location (obviously has some sort of poison so not great for kids/pets). We had a serious ant problem in our kitchen where they took up residence behind our glass splashbacks and in the microwave (I was waiting for them to come out of the microwave with two heads after that radiation!!) and we used Ant Rid which again is a poison where you put a big drop near their location and they drink as it is super sweet and take it back to the nest and kill their buddies as well. Sounds horrible but it worked for us and is easy to place in areas that are inaccessible to kids. Watch out for ants in your electricals. They like the warmth but can kill the appliance. Both of the mentioned products are easy to get from supermarkets.
You can also sprinkle talc where they are getting as they don't like to walk over it.
Good luck!

[Rouge]

We use cinnamon. Works a treat every time

[AnyDream]

Rouge, how do you "apply" the cinnamon for maximum effectiveness?

[*LittleMissSummer*]

We use cinnamon. Works a treat every time

Awesome, i have some that i don't use so will try that.

NicNac, thanks but as i have a cat and a very inquisitive 2 year old i want to stay away from harsh chemicals. The only stuff i will use is the mortein protection barrier which i think ill get some today.

[Rouge]

We had some all over our deck heading for the back door. One or two had made it inside. I went crazy dusting their trail. Within 2 hours they were gone. It's not a permanent solution due to wind and rain. But it works fine and everything smells nice too I've used it inside before. It works the same. You just need to vacuum it once they are gone. And it comes out of carpet easy. Just don't wipe it up vacuum. It up.

[Chocaholic]

If you have pet food nearby, they may be eating that and moving to another room. I put my dog bowls in a shallow dish of water as ants can't swim

[Jennifer13]

When all else failed, we found some ant baits, that you can put out of reach somewhere along their trail that works somewhat like ****roach baits. You can get them at the supermarket. The other thing that is much less chemical is pouring boiling water down their nest. Not nice for the ants, but sometimes those little suckers set up home in the worst possible places!

[~me~]

Ants do not like Eucalyptus oil, so perhaps you could put some of that down. They also do not like walking over baby powder.
Use the ant sand outside around your window sills and pavements.

[Phteven]

Try napalming his room.

[beansbeans!]

yep we use baby powder here.. Actually we use cornflour, but since its also our baby powder I can claim the same

[*LittleMissSummer*]

Try napalming his room.

Hahaha! Not a bad idea considering how messy it is! It is one room i do NOT clean he wanted 'manland' he can clean up after himself so really seeing ants take over does not suprise me in the slightest just i dont do ants in my house.

[*LittleMissSummer*]

There are some great ideas that ill pass on to DP

[Sunny Love]

I swear my house is built on top of a giant ant hill or sand dune......they are every where when the weather starts to warm up. Only antrid works for us. Damn ant hill!

[Life is Good]

I used Eucalyptus oil the other day (heard about it somewhere) and they moved off quick-smart. Will be doing that in future!

[jackrose]

Borax/sugar/water mix.

There is a bit of info online about it, you make up a solution, put it out in little containers (with the cat and baby maybe in a cupboard where the ant like to be or inside an old margarine container with a hole cut in or something) and like ant rid, they eat, take back to nest and pass on the poison to the nest.

You can get borax in the supermarket laundry aisle and when your ants are gone you can use the borax to make your toilet bowl cleaner, boost the power of your washing powder, take out stains, make Gak for the kids, experiment with crystals…. It is an awesome product!

[Miss.B]

A friend of mine got me to put bay leaves around the spots where the ants had their trails and they've disappeared.