Animal friendly ways to get rid of ants?

[haffyfan]

We seem to have an ant invasion...found one on kitchen work surface just now. Yuk!

We had an issue with them a year or two ago and treated with powder, however the ducks have free run of back garden including patio so this isn't an option now. just wondered if anyone knew any pet safe remedies at all?

I really can't keep the ducks away from back of house as our ducklings both wound up being boys and poor Blue gets gang raped if we don't keep them split up, so they take turns in being in enclosure/on patio/rest of garden. Erm the boys might still sleep in conservatory at night too...but should i be admitting that?!

[racaille]

Don't they make a mess in the conservatory Haff?

The only way I can think of to get rid of ants with not danger to pets is to pour boiling water into the nest. Find it by following the little blighters ...

I have a problem in my new place with some nests of pine processional caterpillars. Their poisoned spines are terribly dangerous for horses and dogs if they pierce their tongues (the animal dies) so I shall be burning the bustards mwheh heh heh

[haffyfan]

haha not really...well bits of hemp blow about a bit but well we're not the most house proud! They are in a makeshift enclosure in a corner and the floor is quarry tiles so it mops up each morning. Running out of cold excuses now so need to buy them a proper house as i can't put them in with Blue.

Will try the boiling water trick if we can trace nest.


Those caterpillars sound really nasty.

[fimacg]

Any powder will stop ants and I think kill them as they have pores in their feet. When I spent time in Fiji and ants infested the house, we put a line of talc across the windows and doors and that seemed to work, as did a massive spring clean and polish, so there was no food available to them, so no reason to come in, (not saying your house is dirty, but I was living with 2 other smelly backpackers at the time)

[haffyfan]

Thanks Fi, will try and find out if it harmful to ducks and then give that a try too, willing to give anything a go really.