Political hazards of the Bay Area (but not what you might think)

[hrj]

I suppose, given where I live, it was only to be expected that when I posted on the neighborhood e-mail list asking for recommendations for an ant exterminator (my previous one having gone out of business sometime in the last year), over half the responses -- with widely varying degrees of snarkiness -- attempted to remedy my Mistaken Notion that poison was an appropriate response to ant infestations. Yes, in an ideal world we would all simply keep our houses spotlessly clean of anything an ant might want (including water sources) and patiently wait for the scouting parties to give up and go home. But while I might impose such a high standard of eco-patience on myself, I don't really feel free to impose it on my tenants. Fortunately, a minority of e-mail list participants actually recommended some companies to try. (I'm trying to avoid any of the "big name" exterminators since their web sites make it fairly clear that they prefer a scorched earth policy and don't understand the concept of "beneficial insects".)

Comments

[ichseke.livejournal.com]

We had a local "greenish" pest control guy come to look at our ant infestation and he recommended trapping them outside. Granted, we live in the Eastern alluvial forest and you ... don't. But I can get you the info if you're interested.

[hrj.livejournal.com]

The difference in conditions make for different motivations on the ant side. My regular summer invasion comes when the hottest part of summer hits and the ants are looking for water to drink (or at least a slightly humid place to hang out). It means that even being fanatical about not leaving any trace of food available doesn't necessarily discourage them.

I don't mind the ants outside -- they help keep the soil churned up, after all. I just want them to stay outside.

[ichseke.livejournal.com]

Amen, sister.

[dame-cordelia.livejournal.com]

I would very much like not to use poison on the ants that have repeatedly invaded my kitchen this summer. Each time they come in at a different spot and I use soapy water for 2 or 3 days (and nights) until I am tired of this struggle.

Eventually I get out the poison because they are so tenacious and use a little bit on the exact point of entry. They then disappear for a month or so, which isn't too bad, I suppose.

[pecunium.livejournal.com]

It's a summer infestation, a humid puddle/dish of water, on the trail; but outside, might help.

When we have troubles, poisoned bait (the various ones with the metal stakes and the little case with the gunk.

Putting that outside, on the trails, kept them from coming in. Didn't wipe them out, but the combination of reduced numbers, and outseide temptations saved the kitchen.

TK