Ants and dogs?

[John Fraser]

Every summer when it's warm we have an abundance of the large carpenter ants coming into our kitchen trash can. Last year we redid our back sunroom. It had some rot and subsequent ant damage due to a leaky door sill and ice jam build ups at the opposite end of the room. We removed that door sill (didn't need 2 doors out there anyway) and I put the de-icing cable on the roof which has helped to keep the ice under control.

But the ants are still coming into the kitchen. I think (and hope) they may be living in an old half-dead ash tree near by. My wife doesn't want me to cut the tree down because it provides some shade. The tree is no major threat to the house if it were to fall, so I have left it.

So my question is: Is there an ant spray I can use around the edge of the house that is safe around dogs?

I really don't want the ants moving into the house again. Thank you.

- John

 

[wis boz]

John
I've used "Carpenter Ant & Termite Killer" by Spectracide. It kills wood destroying pests. It's an insect spray concentrate and seems to be working and certaintly would be worth a try. Good luck.
wis boz

 

[Ben M]

I have been using Ortho Home Defense for several years around the exterior of the house only. I spray around the bottom of the siding, window sills, thresholds, soffits. No issues with my pups so far . . . I do keep them away from it until its had several hours to dry, but that's just common sense . . .

 

[John Fraser]

Thanks for the replies. I'll check out both of those products.

 

[Luke Berkey]

John, there is a product called "diatomaceous earth" that works great. It is a natural non-toxic powder that you sprinkle around you foundation. My local Lowes carries it in the outdoor section. It comes in a small yellow bag. Doesn't look the greatest because you can see the white powder for a little while after you apply, but it kills any bug that tries to cross over it. Google it there is plenty of info about it out there. You may be able to apply it in a wetted form but I have never tried. I usually apply it along the inside and outside of my foundation every spring. It makes a huge difference on the amount of bugs we see in the house. Good luck, Luke

 

[Andy Grant]

John
I've used "Carpenter Ant & Termite Killer" by Spectracide. It kills wood destroying pests. It's an insect spray concentrate and seems to be working and certaintly would be worth a try. Good luck.
wis boz

I second that. Once I couldn't find the ortho and got a cheaper brand which didn't work as well. Search until you find the Ortho.

 

[TimJ]

If you can put it up on a counter or into the half dead tree a honey/sugar borax mixture works well on ants. It just takes like 10% borax mixed with 90% honey or sugar water. It may have a much lower toxicity then many ant sprays but being it's sweet dogs will lick it if it is someplace they can reach so don't use large amounts.
Lots of info on the internet about it.

Tim

 

[John Fraser]

Thanks again all!

 

[milburn]

Sounds like some mught be in you wood but they will travel a long way and be a problem. We have the same thing every spring and I put stuff around the house and sometimes I will find a colony pretty far from the house. Guess what I am saying, after you fix your house look around outside for their other motels.

 

[Kevin B]

Luke has got it right,diatomaeous earth works on a number of critters . It is safe for your dogs and cats. I use it around the 9 camps I take care of .