Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum

Turkey Related Subjects => Turkey Discussion Forum (Not Calis specifically) => Topic started by: WordBird on July 16, 2014, 19:17:14 PM

Title: Ants!
Post by: WordBird on July 16, 2014, 19:17:14 PM
Ok, the little blighters are doing my head in.

Feel like it's been a never-ending battle today - can't take my eyes off the cats'/dog's food for a second once it's down or they're in there, and have just found a load of really tiny ones in a box of sugar cubes I bought last night - and thinking they might get in, I put it in a plastic bag, clipped it, put it in another plastic bag and clipped that too!

I appreciate we might have more than most because we're rural but does anyone have any especially good tips for preventing/dealing with them?

Would also love to know where I can get some really good, airtight plastic storage tubs. They've managed to get into all the ones I've bought except for ones I got from Azda, but they're only small and I could do with some larger ones for the pet food etc.

Right. Off for a shower now. Feel like I'm crawling with them!
(No ants-in-yer-pants jokes please.  ;D )
Title: Re: Ants!
Post by: KKOB on July 16, 2014, 19:22:39 PM
We scattered copper coins around the house and it seemed to work. It might be worth putting copper coins in the pet food.

Also, put foodstuff, including sugar, bread etc., in the fridge or freezer.
Title: Re: Ants!
Post by: WordBird on July 16, 2014, 20:00:14 PM
Ooh, interesting. Haven't heard that one before. Will see if I've got any coppers left in my UK purse.

We wondered about putting the sugar cubes in the fridge but thought moisture might be a problem.
Will give it a go if you recommend, ta.   :)
Title: Re: Ants!
Post by: Scunner on July 16, 2014, 20:11:26 PM
We scattered copper coins around the house


Or the housekeeping, as Alan called it.
Title: Re: Ants!
Post by: KKOB on July 16, 2014, 20:18:28 PM
(https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQZDH1cUegXMEZzry2NIFL89BCbYAUnWaOT-lGmobfn5PdnuYwFRA)
Title: Re: Ants!
Post by: angela on July 16, 2014, 21:43:12 PM
That's  really annoying,  it would (and no doubt will) do my head in,  I'd have nightmares about them. What a nuisance.
Title: Re: Ants!
Post by: puma on July 16, 2014, 21:45:43 PM
i brought ant powder and scatter it round the dogs / cat food bowl
Title: Re: Ants!
Post by: nichola on July 16, 2014, 22:30:17 PM
You can buy ant powder and liquid to stop them coming into the house. Just find the source or where they are coming into the house. I prefer the liquid and you can buy this in any supermarket. It might take a few days to get rid.

In the meantime for the animal bowls use plates or trays with water on it and put the bowls on top. It creates a moat and the ants can't get into the bowl itself. In this heat you need to keep the water topped up. It's safer for the animals.
Title: Re: Ants!
Post by: WordBird on July 17, 2014, 02:59:02 AM
Thanks Nichola. I read about the moat idea last night and thought I would try that today.

I tried a couple of other suggestions that I found online, like the lemon spray, mint, salt, velcro etc as I was worried commercial products might be harmful to the pets, but hopefully I can keep them away from the access point.

I'll look for the liquid when I'm in town - presumably I just pop it down where they are coming in?
*gets translation app ready for reading the bottle*
Title: Re: Ants!
Post by: KKOB on July 17, 2014, 06:04:36 AM
Just bear in mind that any method that stops them coming in, also stops them from leaving. If they're already in the house, it's too late.
Title: Re: Ants!
Post by: WordBird on July 17, 2014, 06:28:11 AM
Fingers crossed, haven't seen any since last night's final battle so if I can get some liquid today that might do it.

Mr WB and our daughter are sick of me 'nagging' about making sure there's absolutely nothing left out, any spills wiped immediately etc, but I need to make sure they're more aware and change their habits.
Really don't know why we've suddenly had an influx after three weeks though.

I've worked out where most of them have been getting in but the really teeny-tiny ones that were in the sugar cubes I have no idea.
Title: Re: Ants!
Post by: Hamlet on July 17, 2014, 07:34:55 AM

Quote
I appreciate we might have more than most because we're rural but does anyone have any especially good tips for preventing/dealing with them?
Quote


I usually find that a flame thrower is quite effective!