Ant problem

[emineden]

Recently we seem to be having a big problem with tiny ants. They appear to have a vicious bite unlike there larger relatives.

Despite spraying they still appear everywhere, this morning there were a couple of large clusters on an internal wall busily eating the paint,

any ideas on how to control?

dennis

[elizabeth]

Recently we seem to be having a big problem with tiny ants. They appear to have a vicious bite unlike there larger relatives.

Despite spraying they still appear everywhere, this morning there were a couple of large clusters on an internal wall busily eating the paint,

any ideas on how to control?

dennis

We had the same problem recently, if you go to the pest control shop opposite Starling ( the one near Illeli) she has some spray that works like magic, it smells of oranges and we were told to spray it around your electrical sockets and the windows. It worked a treat for us and we,ve had no problem since.

[sophie]

This might be a local myth but about 3 years ago we had what looked like trillions of the little blighters in clusters on the work tops and around the outside light switches, and I was convinced the came out from behind the tiles in the kitchen. A local said that they actually lived in the soil surrounding the house and in the concrete fabric of the house. We tried everything recommended at the time, but suddenly they just disappeared virtually overnight, never to be seen again (hope I haven't talked them up) The same might happen to you but obviously something that works has been invented so give it a try.

[Owl Lady]

Found my ant killer by accident. Ran out of spray and used DETAN in a red spray tin, supposed to be for flies, but it works a treat on ants. Sprayed about a 100 little ones this morning, Gone in minutes, not returned (dead!)

[soyelcin]

We find the best is Nippon gel. They love it, take it back to the nest and give to the queen ant, all die!

[Hippocampus]

Not all local ants like Nippon. I used it extensively and successfully in UK, but whenever we have had ants in the kitchen here they have completely ignored the Nippon! Must depend on the kind of ant. We have had success by dusting with "Tox" powder, which we have always bought from Green Garden.

[HotHippo]

Hello All,

Does anyone know where to find the Nippon gel mentioned in this post from 2014?

We've tried all sorts of powders and sprays, to get rid of the ant colonies in our garden, and under our terraces, but nothing seems to work.

The little blighters have broken through the grout between our tiled terraces, and the house walls, and are busily excavating under the villa foundations.

Cheers,

HH

[pc4854]

We use cockroach spray, the one with the delivery pipe. Locate the nest where there is a small pile of debris and spray into hole - instantaneous.

[sophie]

Sadly last year we had trillions of them in every cupboard in the kitchen, every packet of food (even those not open), some even got into the fridge seals and totally air tight container made to man (believe me they were that small). We actually saw some eating their way through the grouting of wall tiles into the kitchen. I also believe they actually live in the fabric of the property and eat concrete. That's what we were told a few years back by a local. Because they start to live amongst our food we cannot use sprays of any kind. What I do when they are massing on the work tops, is get a damp cloth, covered in bleach and just wipe them away. Gradually they decline in numbers, but not before they have caused us to throw away masses of food, fruit etc. I hate the little buggers and pray that this year will be better than last.

[Maisiemoo]

We had loads of them snaking a trail round the kitchen ceiling and in our food like Sophie. We hoovered them up morning and evening but always loads came to take their place! I eventually located their entry point and sprayed iit with cockroach spray, my husband was amazed to see them in the garden making a swift retreat from the house!

[HotHippo]

Thanks for the replies to my post; does anyone know where I can buy this Cockroach spray?

Luckily, we don't have a problem inside our villa, but I'm concerned that our ants may cause problems underneath our terraces. we've already had a partial collapse of soil, which might also have had something to do with drains.

Cheers,

HH

[Maisiemoo]

We buy the local stuff you can get in any supermarket, really cheap too!

[Ragged Robin]

Can I add one word of caution about killing all types of insect. If you have pets, be very very careful about what chemicals you use.

For that reason and for fear of contaminating food, I don't use any indoors (it is mainly in the kitchen that I find these miniature monsters) but wipe with a cloth soaked in disinfectant or at this time of year when my tree is overloaded just wipe surfaces with half a lemon!

Outside if you can locate t the nest, pour boiling water into it! If it is among weeds add salt to the water and you have an animal-friendly cheap weedkiller to boot! But be careful not to get the salt near plants you want to keep!

Last year I found an Italian ant killing powder in the Supermarkets which also worked on the principle of carrying it back to the best, and it seemed to be quite effective.