getting rid of ants

[jodi]

We have those teeny,tiny ants in the house right now that seem to congregate under my sons' seats. We vacuum after nearly every meal, but we always seem to miss a little something that these darn ants find. Any suggestions on cheap, but kid-friendly, ways to get rid of them?
Thanks,
jodi

[cercis]

If you can find where they are coming in, sprinkle cinnamon and try to block the hole.

[fultron]

I've heard that toothpaste and mint leaves work too.

[Miz Pat]

Lysol kitchen cleaner in the spray bottles kills the suckers instantly.

[cercis]

Originally Posted by Miz Pat

Lysol kitchen cleaner in the spray bottles kills the suckers instantly.

Most insects can be killed using dish detergent (you can buy Safer brand soap which works better but dish detergent will work too). Hard body insects are harder to kill with soap, but it still works.

[pennywise]

the ants are attracted to sweet things, like sugar and jelly. I put my sugar container (small) in a zip lock in the cabinet and the larger in the fridge. Honey and jelly the same. I don't have ants anymore. Keep mulch away from the house too, the large carpenter ants come because of this.

[akaivyleaf]

diluted bleach kills them too...

[cercis]

Not all ants are after sweets. There are "oil ants". My mom had them in her crisco (I was so grossed out by that one). In college we had them in our dorm room, they'd ignore the sweet stuff we had and come bite us (in our sleep).

Putting away sweets will help, but you have to find the source and block it there.

[jodi]

Thanks everyone! I guess I should be a little more specific about the situation...they are coming in between the molding and the carpet in our dining area off the kitchen - not entirely sure where bc it's a plush carpet, but they seem to have a little hole down there somewhere. Oddly enough (but thankfully), they are staying away from the kitchen. I hesitate on the bleach/chemicals due to two small children (one who is just crawling all over the place) and two dogs, not to mention the carpet. I guess I can try to sprinkle the cinnamon and see if that keeps them away...again, thanks to all! I would love to hear more suggestions

[zakity]

There is something called diatamatious earth (that is not spelled correctly but I don't know how). It is harmless to pets and kids and it is supposed to get rid of the ants. They won't cross it because it scratches their underbellies. Salt works also. You can put a line of salt or datamatious eart where they are coming in and they won't cross it.

[cercis]

[quote=zakity]There is something called diatamatious earth (that is not spelled correctly but I don't know how). QUOTE]

You were close - diatomaceous earth (DE). Just don't use the stuff they sell in pool supply stores, it has been physically altered and just doesn't work (I don't care what Jerry Baker says, he's wrong).

C

[momma4]

sprinkling cinnamon or baby powder where you see your ants come in will confuse them and they will eventually stop coming in. I have had a big problem with ants lately and killing them did not stop them from coming in. I have cinnamon in front of my doorway inside and outside and in the corners in my bathrooms and also around my hamster's cages. it helps as a room freshner too