I have found a nest of carpenter ants in my back yard. Any organic remedies to rid them?
Question:I would prefer an organic method. I know non-organic I could use Dursban, etc.
Answers:
Carpenter ants have colonies and sub colonies. They do massive damage to homes (we're experiencing that now), they get into the wood and chew it out as they enlarge the nest, then they throw out frass which looks like fine meal. You are better off taking an aggressive stance--even if it's not organic. You certainly don't want them getting established. We've been using Terro Ant Spray and powder; but I'm ready to call in an exterminator!
I don't know about Carpenter Ants specifically, but I have had good success with house ants. I mix up cinnamon, and plaster of paris (do not get it wet ;-) and put it near their entry way. They hate cinnamon, but if they do eat it, they will get Led Bellies (no music pun intended).
There are also special chalk sticks that you may be able to find in a chinese store. You draw around the area, and they don't cross the line.
My experience with carpenter ants is that they will eat the wood off your house or any other outbuiling. You could try sprinkling rubbed sage in their den and see if they would just leave, but I would definitely get rid of them no matter what it took.
Hi Nellie. Unfortunately, the answer is no. It's possible to put organic powders around your house, like certain spices that will irritate the senses of ants. But it doesn't work around their nests and burrows. This is because, in my own opinion, the ants don't need to come in your house for survival, they do however, need to leave the nest for survival. I've wrestled with this several times in the past. I hate to admit it, I use gasoline anymore. It works. Don't light it - just pour it down. Sometimes you may have to do it twice. Good luck.
try parking the lawn mower on top of the nest for as long as it takes to get a nice cool drink. they pretty much get discouraged.
I've had good luck with other types of ants by sprinkling dry Cream of Wheat cereal around the nest. There are other methods at this site, but I've had the Cream of Wheat work.
http://www.prevention.com/finder/0,5785,...
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