FAQ of the Day: How can I safely get rid of ants?
Monday July 24, 2006
Summer heat also brings ants indoors, seeking water, no doubt.
We have coexisted with cats and ants from time-to-time over a period of 45 years, and I have yet to see any adverse reaction from ants with a cat. Strangely enough, one of our cats *loves* ants, and will roll around on his back in them if he's lucky enough to stumble upon a trail, and even lick them. If you've ever accidentally "eaten" an ant, you'll know the fornic acid is exceedingly unpleasant to taste, so I'm not sure what the attraction is in his case.
Read the full FAQ
We have coexisted with cats and ants from time-to-time over a period of 45 years, and I have yet to see any adverse reaction from ants with a cat. Strangely enough, one of our cats *loves* ants, and will roll around on his back in them if he's lucky enough to stumble upon a trail, and even lick them. If you've ever accidentally "eaten" an ant, you'll know the fornic acid is exceedingly unpleasant to taste, so I'm not sure what the attraction is in his case.
Read the full FAQ
Comments
I have ants that try to come in the same way every year. This year for the first time I used plain white vinegar at the point of entrance, and with one application they have not been back.
White vinegar sounds like a simple, non-toxic solution. Thanks, Chris!
I found something that apparently repels ants quite strongly – potent, minty mouthwash! I know it sounds wacky, but I came up with the idea when I was in the bathroom a couple of nights ago, reaching for my toothbrush and saw the little buggers coming in through the second story window (we do have a first story bathroom, so I don’t know why they wanted to come all the way upstairs). I actually hate my mouthwash and thought maybe the ants would dislike it too (it’s Jason Sea Fresh concentrated. It makes my head explode even when it’s diluted. BTW, it’s nonalcoholic). So I dampened a tissue with the stuff and squeezed it over the windowsill where the ants were coming in. Sure enough, they recoiled and made a hasty retreat. The next morning they were gone, save for one who had apparently lost her way. If they come back, the application is easy enough to repeat.
Incidentally, Sparkle and my other two cats utterly despise ants. Once, when they invaded Sparkle’s food dish, she complained, loudly… and normally she is a very quiet cat.