A question about controlling ANTS

[robirot]

Maybe get an Anteater as a new pet?

Now that's funny! Why didn't I think of it??? 

There are these little furry ones, maybe thats zhe perfect one.

[TheHoneyPump]

For the level of infestation you describe around your property, the suggestion is the bait method.  Drop teaspoon sized globs strategically around the property. Near nests and trails.  It will take 2weeks minimum to effect.  A month later you should notice a significant difference.

2+:1 borax to corn syrup. You could further spike it a bit with some white sugar to enhance sweetness.  Heat the syrup to 150 degF (est).  Stir in the borax.  Add as much as it will take until is a smooth paste.  Let cool.  It will become like a taffy.   Head out to the yard and gleefully dispense.  ;)

The borax is harmless to most animals and birds, but is deadly on insects such as ants.  As with any bait, place with care so the targeted pests easily gets it and yet to minimize collateral effects to others.

[CoolBees]

I will do that HP, and thank you.

Right now, the Ant population has been knocked back because of the rains - per usual. By August/September time, after several months without rain, they will be in full bloom and getting aggressive. By then, they start to turn the swimming pool black, and clog the filters. That's when I'll hit them - and they will attack any food source. Thank you for the recipe. I'll update once I've tried it and have some results.

Alan

[Haveuseen1?]

We have "fire ants" and they will invade the hive and remove eggs, honey and anything else they want.  The bees try to keep them away, but the ants will come in after dark and get a head start on the bees.  We use a granular insect killer spread around the legs.  It usually lasts around 6 weeks, slightly shorter if we get a lot of rain.  I did try the bait stations and I think they worked well.  I might try that again this spring to change it up a little.  My stands are concrete blocks with 4x4s runing through he top hole. I just placed the baitstations on top of the 4x4 in the block.  I think the ease of the granules is nice though.

[BeeMaster2]

Coolbees,
It sounds like you have Crazy Raspberry Ants.
A neighbor of mine has CRAs. They were imported from Texas by his closest neighbor when he moved here from Texas with all his horse equipment. They are attracted to electrical currents. They were so bad that they shut down the NASA Space Station in Houston.
Jim

[MikeyN.C.]

CoolBee,
You can take the small disposable 50 count plastic aspirin bottles . Drill 1/6 inch holes around top just under screw on lid. Make a batch of grape,apple jelly with borax mixed in,  use baby spoon and drop in 4 spoon's full,  put cap on and dispense through out yard . You can paint them black so they're not that visible.  Works good , even if wind blows them down.

[CoolBees]

Mike, thanks for that suggestion. I'm going to try each of the ideas provided here as soon as the ants start their buildup in warmer weather. Already I'm seeing them building. We've had above average rainfall this yr. Once things dry out, they get aggressive - that's when I plan on targeting them hard. I'll post how each treatment works in a few months.

Alan

[TheHoneyPump]

May I suggest you deliberately go on the offensive one month before you expect them to be peaking and becoming a problem.  The bait method is a sustained systemic treatment on the colonies that takes time to effect.  There is quite a delay from when it is put out to when the population really gets knocked back.  If you wait until you notice that they are out in force, then you are 2 weeks to a month too late at having the ideal pre-emptive Impact.
Historically, year to year, when have they become noticeable in mass numbers? Put the bait stations out a month before that.
You will know it worked, is working, and you timed it right when you feel like you wasted your time and effort doing so because there are few to no ants around this season. ;)

Imho

[Ben Framed]

I bought some of these at our farm supply. Works well and fills up with dead ants quickly.




https://www.amazon.com/TERRO-T300B-2-Pack-Liquid-Baits/dp/B00E4GACB8?keywords=ant+control&qid=1547669628&sr=8-5&ref=sr_1_5

Herbhome, does this work for carpenter ants?

[BeeMaster2]

I use this.

https://www.amazon.com/T1812-Outdoor-Liquid-Killer-Stakes/dp/B00GRTNRJ4/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?keywords=ant+control&qid=1563934936&s=gateway&sr=8-9

Around my hives I put a plastic jar over it so that the bees do not try to use it. It is sugar water and  boric acid. You place it right along the ant trail. My buddy had a severe carpenter ant problem with them going in his house. He put it where they were entering and he swears by it.
Jim Altmiller

[CoolBees]

I wanted to follow-up on this thread.

1st - Thank you to everyone who replied.

I tried several recipes this summer to see which the Ants preferred. The one I found that works in my area is as follows: 1 part honey, 2 parts water, & 1 part borax - heated and stirred till everything is dissolved. I place a tablespoon or 2 into jars, and drilled .201" diam holes in the lids. I placed about 20 jars strategically around the prooerty in Ant-Problem area. The ants seemed to like this a lot. I would estimate that Ant activity is down by 80%+ over the course of the summer.

All recipes with borax & sugar, or corn syrup failed miserably. They never touched it.

We had our first good rain (a little early) a couple weeks ago, and a 2nd rain last night - usually after the first rain of the season, the ants come pouring out of the ground by the millions (billions?) to die. I have not seen an Ant after either rain - so, keeping my fingers crossed. Trees that were covered with ants year-round now seem to be nearly devoid of them (silk trees, curly willows, etc). I will continue to monitor them.

So ... hoping this helps someone ...

[Michael Bush]

I'll bet honey did work well.  I do cheap grape jelly.  I think it needs some smell both to attract the ants and to help the ants recruit more ants.  Plain syrup or corn syrup don't have much smell...

[CoolBees]

...  I think it needs some smell both to attract the ants and to help the ants recruit more ants.  Plain syrup or corn syrup don't have much smell...

Yes - that was my experience also. They did not touch or find things that they couldn't smell. My theory was, if they love the hives so much, maybe they'd be attracted to the smell of honey. It worked.

[Dreamystan]

Dealing with ants invading beehives is no joke, especially when they seem to outsmart all the DIY tricks. I've been there, trying everything from salt to grease, but those tiny invaders just kept coming back.
I even observed feral bees in nature, wondering how they managed to cope with the ant invasion. But no luck there either. Eventually, I decided to seek professional help. I reached out to PestControlCompanies.net, and they were a game-changer.
Their team tackled the ant problem with precision, using methods that were safe for the bees and the environment. It was a relief to see the ants finally under control. So, if you're still struggling, I highly recommend giving them a call.

[Occam]

Welcome dreamystan

[The15thMember]

Welcome to Beemaster, Dreamystan!

[BeeMaster2]

Welcome to Beemaster.
Jim Altmiller

[Ben Framed]

Yes,  Welcome!

Phillip