Ant Attack
Them! – 1954 was nothing compared to real ants!
We fought ants all summer. It started when we came back from Europe and they had discovered the cat’s auto-feeder.
We moved it. So did they. Then we started putting out food, watching cat eat, and putting leftovers away. Like a human would do.
The ants got mad and attacked pantries, drawers, bags, bottles. Hell, we even found a few in the fridge.
They are IMPRESSIVELY industrious.
We tried diatomaceous earth, but they have to walk through it and it only effects a few. If it gets wet: worthless. And it gets everywhere. And it’s indiscriminate: we don’t want to hurts spiders or lizards.
Enter: MOM'S RECIPE FOR ANT DISASTER!
It works. Every time. Feel sort of bad, but in this case, the needs of the few outweigh the need of the many.
Ingredients & Measurements
Warm water: ¾ cup Granulated sugar: ¼ cup (acts as the attractant) Borax (sodium tetraborate): ¾ teaspoon to 1 tablespoon (acts as the slow-acting toxicant)
Instruction: Heat the water slightly so the particulate dissolve easily, but do not boil.
Mix the sugar and borax into the warm water. Stir continually until both are completely dissolved.
Soak cotton balls or paper towels in the sweet, medicated solution.
Place the traps in shallow lids or on small pieces of card near ant trails or entry points.
I put mine in empty jars with holes in the lid.
How it works: The high ratio of sugar attracts worker ants. They ingest the liquid and carry it back to share with the queen and the rest of the colony. The slow action ensures they make it back to the nest before dying.
Keep away from pets and kids: Borax is toxic if swallowed. Place the cotton balls out of reach of dogs, cats, and young children.
Replenish as needed: The cotton balls may dry out after a day or two. Add a few drops of water or fresh solution to keep them moist.
At first the ants go nuts. Then in a day or two, the nest dies and they are gone.
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“May your seas be wide enough for wonder, your harbor always waiting, and your light never fail when another soul is searching.” – The Lantern Keeper