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Home > Archive > Pest Control > September 2006 > Ant infestation following termite spray
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Ant infestation following termite spray
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| bbcrock@gmail.com 2006-08-11, 5:25 pm |
| The afternoon after my basement and yard were sprayed for termites my
kitchen was invaded by small black ants. Size is less than 2 cm long-
very small. These ants move faster than any I have seen previously. I
put a cookie on the kitchen counter and within 5 minutes it was covered
with what looked like 100 ants- literally crawling with them. Straight
out of a 1970s horror movie.
Cleaned entire kitchen. threw out all open food that was either hit
with ants or moths or merely open. Put all fruit in microwave or
fridge for storage. Sprayed with Raid along corners, baseboards, etc.
put down cinamon in some holes (recommended). sprayed food contact
spaces with vinegar (also recommended).
Found ants this morning swarming over water droplets and food specks in
our sink. Possibly 30 ants clammoring for nothing. Ants found on
walls and ceiling. Never seen ants this active.
Recommendations? Did the ants freak out after their nest was hit with
termite spray?
thanks,
Don
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| Happybattles 2006-08-11, 5:25 pm |
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> Recommendations? Did the ants freak out after their nest was hit with
> termite spray?
Anything is possible, but it would take a very poor termiticide to
drive ants indoors like that. Possibly Prevail or Cyper TC, which are
both pyrethrin-based and stink terribly.
Spraying with raid is definately not recommended. Certain species of
ants, including the Odorous House Ant, Carpenter Ant and possibly the
Pharoah Ant, will "bud" under certain conditions.
The Odorous House Ant, especially, will split its' colony into several
smaller colonies to help ensure survival in stressful situations. I've
seen many instances where customers will fight ants for years only to
see them get worse and worse with time. Its only when they call
professionals out that they get relief.
I would recommend wiping-up the ants with a hot, clean washcloth or
sponge and washing them down the drain. The vinegar thing only removes
their scent trails, which slow them down. Cinnamon only makes the room
smell nice.
In the mean time, if you want to try something yourself, go get a small
bottle of Terro. Follow the directions on the back EXACTLY and you may
get some relief. If you can't wait that long, find a pest control
company you trust to come out and do a free inspection/evaluation for
you. Ask them what kind of ant you have and what they can do to fix
the problem. If the price is right and it matches the value of what
you want accomplished, put the monkey on their back instead of yours.
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| bbcrock@gmail.com 2006-08-11, 8:25 pm |
| We had some minor ants indoors prior to the termiticide. The reaction
you describe below (split colonies in stressful situations) seems the
likliest scenario. They came out of nowhere and were extremely
aggressive for ants. I haven't found the nest yet, but will look. I
looked at pictures and thought they looked the most like Argentinian
Ants.
thanks,
Don
Happybattles wrote:
....
> The Odorous House Ant, especially, will split its' colony into several
> smaller colonies to help ensure survival in stressful situations. I've
> seen many instances where customers will fight ants for years only to
> see them get worse and worse with time. Its only when they call
> professionals out that they get relief.
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| In article <1155327680.973487.104810@p79g2000cwp.googlegroups.com>,
bbcrock@gmail.com says...
 The afternoon after my basement and yard were sprayed for termites my
kitchen was invaded by small black ants. Size is less than 2 cm long-
very small. These ants move faster than any I have seen previously. I
put a cookie on the kitchen counter and within 5 minutes it was covered
What was used for your termite treatment?
--
Lar
It is said that the early bird gets the worm,
but it is the second mouse that gets the cheese.
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| valuepest@gmail.com 2006-08-12, 5:25 pm |
| Probably used a repellent termite chemical. They are old technology,
but not "poor".
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| In article <1155445723.798869.221330@h48g2000cwc.googlegroups.com>,
bbcrock@gmail.com says...
Premise in the ground
Cy-Kick on the damaged wood / nests.
if it matters,
The Cy-kick probably stirred them up, though it could just of been a
coincidence...curious though they would of used the Cy-kick instead of
just Premise. You might try some Terro found at most stores, hardware
or grocery. It seems to be good generic type ant bait, though you will
see activity for a number of days. If the ants were disturbed by the Cy-
cick they will be relocating rather than dying off, so some sort of
action probably will be needed for them.
--
Lar
It is said that the early bird gets the worm,
but it is the second mouse that gets the cheese.
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| PCOpug 2006-08-15, 1:25 pm |
| Pick up the telephone and call the PCO who did the termite treatment . If it
does turn up to be ants , I am sure to pay small or perhaps nothing to a
follow up on a termite treatment . (usually termite treatments cost most out
of all pest services due to advanced labor , chemical , and equipment
costs )
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| bbcrock@gmail.com 2006-08-16, 1:25 pm |
| I put away all food, and washed all surfaces for the last several days
and 90% of the ants disappeared.
Don
PCOpug wrote:
> Pick up the telephone and call the PCO who did the termite treatment . If it
> does turn up to be ants , I am sure to pay small or perhaps nothing to a
> follow up on a termite treatment . (usually termite treatments cost most out
> of all pest services due to advanced labor , chemical , and equipment
> costs )
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| gpsman 2006-09-02, 3:25 am |
| PCOpug wrote:
> Pick up the telephone and call the PCO who did the termite treatment . If it
> does turn up to be ants , I am sure to pay small or perhaps nothing to a
> follow up on a termite treatment . (usually termite treatments cost most out
> of all pest services due to advanced labor , chemical , and equipment
> costs )
Good advice, but any termite treatment that doesn't include a throrough
interior general insect treatment is inferior, IMO. It should be
"free"...
Better living though chemistry is my philosophy.
-----
- gpsman
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