OMG Big Black ANTS!

Every year this happens usually in the kitchen- I get a few about 10-20 and then they are gone after I freak out- and put down traps. This year none in the kitchen, I thought I was safe. This year, I found a few in my downstairs bathroom and bedroom and there was a stray one in the BED!!!!!!!! I also killed about 4-5 near the litter box. I immediately killed them- after I stopped screaming- vacuumed like crazy, changed the sheets they are washing in heavy wash on hot- , and moved the litter box and cat food to another part of the house. I put the traps under the baseboard of the heat and put a garbage can in front of it so the cats do not get to it. I also sparyed Ortho defense and put down ant traps. I usually get my outisde sprayed by the exterminator- but he had to cancel b/c of the rain- you cannot spray outside in the rain. My neighbors are such gross people have picnics and do not clean up- there bushes are overgrown, etc you get the idea, and there house is close to mine. He is coming on Tuesday, Tuesday cannot come soon enough, anyway, do you think I am safe from anymore in the house? Help! I hate bugs!I thought I was going to pass out. My house is clean! If you got this far without getting the creepy crawlies, thank you for reading it.

Re: OMG Big Black ANTS!

Those are carpenter ants. My parents get them in their house each year as well. We've found that the traps work pretty well if you put them near the baseboards of your floor, on the kitchen countertops (in the corners), and near any doors.

You may want to call someone to have them do a spray around the outside of your house too. We found that they were coming from our back deck when we got them int he summers.

Re: OMG Big Black ANTS!

Re: OMG Big Black ANTS!

i had these too! but, it was years ago. we found that we had a small leak from our upstairs bathroom that was b/c of the downspout thingy in the tub. we replaced it, and haven't had a problem since.

all of you need to see if you can get a moisture detector and see if you can find a leak somewhere hidden behind walls.

once i took care of the leak, they disappeared. they like wet wood, or wood from termites too (i think they like to live together)

i do get citronella ants every now and again, but that's because they swarm at some time during the year... i get a few, not many, and only in one room. i think i saw three last year... and they are always dead. i wonder if they come from someones shoes??

ETA: exterminators need and want the work and my not suggest what i just did.. keep that in mind.

Message edited 6/6/2009 4:25:14 PM.

Re: OMG Big Black ANTS!

UPDATE my sister saw a bunch of them on my driveway- I bet you last nite while we were sleeing with our windows open, they were marching right in. Okay I am sceeved now. The good news is that I have only seen 2 little ones running like crazy since this afternoon- they looked displaced.... ,I killed them. but near the littler box, so weird . I put down the ant traps behind our dresser and in the bathroom, and sprayed like crazy.I am Not walking around without shoes- the thought of maybe stepping on one... YUCK....I am going to have the exterminator spray around the outside of the house and driveway on Tuesday. I am def getting him every month this summer- we usually have him very 3 months- no way no how- he is going to be my second Husband- LOL

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Does anyone know how much it costs for an exterminator to come and do this? I have a contract for termites, but not ants. I am also getting ants , not a crazy amount, but enough to be an annoyance.

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I am not sure myself. I know the exterminator we use is very reasonable compared to the big companies. he got rid of the carpenter bees we had in our fence last spring. We took for spraying every 3 months- exterior spraying, but do not have a contract with him. When he comes,I just tell him what I am seeing near the outside of the house- so I am not sure myself. FM mail me if you want the name.I like the idea he comes in an unmarked truck. Good luck to anyone with these gross crawly ants. So far almost 24 and I have not seen one- not even on the driveway.I hope I am in the clear now.

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we had a million of them last summer all oround my patio and stoop. It drove us crazy. this year we had the tree taken down near that area. there was a very large ants nest in there. after the tree came down i started finding one or 2 here and there in our kitchen. I only see a few once in a while on my steps and patio. DH sprayed 2 times all around the house and around the windows as well. so far i havent seen them in a few days.. im hoping thats the end of them.

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We use knockout...they are very accomodating...we had them last year and one treatment took care of it. They charge $600 per year for a contract that basically covers everything but termites. They will come once every two weeks if you would like.

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We never saw any inside, but my husband was cleaning out the gutters this weekend and they were definitely living in the damp leaves....we also saw them coming onto the roof from the power lines...I know that if trees are touching the roof it can also be a way for them to easily enter.

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I have had this problem each year too and my exterminator charges about $100 to come and take care of them. It's guaranteed for 6 mths but he rarely has to come back. Strangely I have had none this year. Except one morning there was a massive mutant one on my stovetop. Luckily my 6 1/2 year old killed it for me (so brave!) I am still waiting for the other shoe to drop and for them to show up. We have oak trees in our yard and I am sure that the one right near the house is responsible for the seasonal influx. On one hand I'd love to cut it down but I also don't want to....

Re: OMG Big Black ANTS!

They sound like carpenter ants. If so, they will not go away with just spraying, you have to find the nest and destroy it or they will come back every year.

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carpenter ants are more destructive then termites. If you just see them by the door usually traps and spraying your house can work but if you start seeing an infestation bring in the big guns because they will eat everything and destroy everything.

my friend gutted his bathroom to find a nest of carpenter ants. He was lucky to see the nest but they did enough damage that he had to replace a lot of wood on his house and that really took a huge chunk out of his budget.