DIY ant trap?

^iMp^ · 05-01-2004, 06:49 PM

Hello all,

I have a bit of an ant problem in my house--since the weather has warmed up, they've become a real nuisance. Does anyone know how to make an easy DIY ant trap? I'm think something like water, soap, and "something" in a small bowl or jar near the problem area (the kitchen sink). Vinegar or sugar? The ants are fairly small...possibly sugar ants but I don't think so (they have a nasty smell to them when they're smushed).

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

^iMp^

PS: This is meant to be a quick, temporary solution.

Rolo · 05-01-2004, 07:36 PM

I did a thing like this before. On a piece of wood, or tipped over bucket, or whatever, put honey and wet peppermint candies down. The ants come in no time and get stuck and die. If you happen to have a wasp/bee problem, it will attaract these even much more effectively.

Thooshe · 05-01-2004, 07:44 PM

I wonder if after they are caught if the fish will eat them? :?:

Might be a nice treat for them and save on live food. :twisted:

^iMp^ · 05-01-2004, 08:28 PM

My white clouds don't touch them--the damn ants are all over the house and I've seen a few floating in my fish tank. They emit a foul, sulfurous stench when smushed...I doubt they're very appetizing.

Thanks for the tip, Rolo--I'll try some different jars. One with honey, one with soap and apple vinegar in water, etc...until anyone else has a better idea.

^iMp^

you · 05-01-2004, 09:01 PM

If you really want to get rid of ants, buy a bottle of sugar/boron mix. (don't try to make it yourself, I never could make the boron dissolve enough) The worker ants survive long enough to bring it back to the queen, and takes out the whole colony.

This is the only realistic way to get rid of them for more than a month or two. If you just kill the workers by trapping them, the colony will produce more and you'll be doing that for a LONG time.

Wö£fëñxXx · 05-01-2004, 09:11 PM

I've had this problem before, discovered a sure fire way to stop it, go to wal mart buy you a bag or 2 of fire ant killer, (granuals) and sprinkle it around the entire foundation of the house, it works, in 2 days they will be gone, they will not cross the granual line

^iMp^ · 05-01-2004, 09:17 PM

Wö£fëñxXx:

Can't do it--we are currently living in (renting) a small summer home right on the water (literally less than 10 meters). We're moving next month, so I'm just going to call the landlord and let him deal with the problem (call an eterminator or whatever). I'll see if I can get my hands on some Boron sweetener in the meantime. I've already tried some commercial ant traps/queen killers (about a month ago or more, when they first appeared in small numbers), but they didn't do a damn thing. I'll pick up another brand tomorrow. ;P

^iMp^

Basilisk · 05-02-2004, 06:05 AM

Well, you can always get an aardvark.

05-01-2004, 07:36 PM	#2
Rolo Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota Posts: 1,716	I did a thing like this before. On a piece of wood, or tipped over bucket, or whatever, put honey and wet peppermint candies down. The ants come in no time and get stuck and die. If you happen to have a wasp/bee problem, it will attaract these even much more effectively. __________________

05-01-2004, 07:44 PM	#3
Thooshe Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 178	I wonder if after they are caught if the fish will eat them? :?: Might be a nice treat for them and save on live food. :twisted: __________________ Eheim Pimp Club member #7 Pimp Thread Starter _________________ 46g bowfront. Flourite. 192w CF lighting. Pressurized C02. DIY reactor. Eheim 2215. titanium heater.

05-02-2004, 06:05 AM	#8
Basilisk Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mexico Posts: 277	Well, you can always get an aardvark. __________________ My 200 gallon high tank

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Hagen Fish Trap	law	Fish	6	07-21-2004 08:03 PM

05-01-2004, 06:49 PM	#1
^iMp^ Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 423	Hello all, I have a bit of an ant problem in my house--since the weather has warmed up, they've become a real nuisance. Does anyone know how to make an easy DIY ant trap? I'm think something like water, soap, and "something" in a small bowl or jar near the problem area (the kitchen sink). Vinegar or sugar? The ants are fairly small...possibly sugar ants but I don't think so (they have a nasty smell to them when they're smushed). Any help would be greatly appreciated! ^iMp^ PS: This is meant to be a quick, temporary solution.

05-01-2004, 08:28 PM	#4
^iMp^ Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 423	My white clouds don't touch them--the damn ants are all over the house and I've seen a few floating in my fish tank. They emit a foul, sulfurous stench when smushed...I doubt they're very appetizing. Thanks for the tip, Rolo--I'll try some different jars. One with honey, one with soap and apple vinegar in water, etc...until anyone else has a better idea. ^iMp^

05-01-2004, 09:01 PM	#5
you Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 57	If you really want to get rid of ants, buy a bottle of sugar/boron mix. (don't try to make it yourself, I never could make the boron dissolve enough) The worker ants survive long enough to bring it back to the queen, and takes out the whole colony. This is the only realistic way to get rid of them for more than a month or two. If you just kill the workers by trapping them, the colony will produce more and you'll be doing that for a LONG time.

05-01-2004, 09:11 PM	#6
Wö£fëñxXx Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (125/100%) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: USA Posts: 3,037	I've had this problem before, discovered a sure fire way to stop it, go to wal mart buy you a bag or 2 of fire ant killer, (granuals) and sprinkle it around the entire foundation of the house, it works, in 2 days they will be gone, they will not cross the granual line

05-01-2004, 09:17 PM	#7
^iMp^ Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 423	Wö£fëñxXx: Can't do it--we are currently living in (renting) a small summer home right on the water (literally less than 10 meters). We're moving next month, so I'm just going to call the landlord and let him deal with the problem (call an eterminator or whatever). I'll see if I can get my hands on some Boron sweetener in the meantime. I've already tried some commercial ant traps/queen killers (about a month ago or more, when they first appeared in small numbers), but they didn't do a damn thing. I'll pick up another brand tomorrow. ;P ^iMp^