Tuesday, May 6, 2014

The Battle of the Ants

I live in a basement suite, so I get my fair share of creepy-crawlies creeping and crawling through my place. Naturally, I have patience for some more than others.

Every year in April or May, the ants come out looking for food. Every year in April or May, I make sure to remove anything resembling food from the area around my front door (that’s where they tend to come in). Every year in April or May, despite my efforts, I have a trail of ants coming through my house. Sometimes just one here or there or sometimes a mass infestation if I neglected to remove all the things resembling food in time (like my collection of empty bottles, for example).

This year, I was certain I was in good shape. I’d returned all my empties months ago, I spring-cleaned the area where my plants live, so any dirt, debris and sticky stuff was gone. So when I saw the first of the ants, I didn’t think too much of it. But one became five and then five became ten.

ThatWhiteGirl - battle of ants - it's on, no more mr nice guy

The battle of the ants had begun. I was thoroughly cleaning my floors, when I was bleaching them, I noticed all the ants were congregated in one area right by my front door. I vacuumed the mat in front of my door, but then minutes later saw ants crawling all over it again. I lifted up the corner was shocked at what I found.

ThatWhiteGirl - battle of ants - so many ants so disgusting

Literally* hundreds (*not literally) of ants milling about! I began pulling out anything and everything in that area in preparation of cleaning the shit of out it all. And that’s when I found it.

ThatWhiteGirl - battle of ants - a half eaten candy cane is like crack cocaine for ants

Months ago (obviously), a small candy cane fell off my table unnoticed and landed amongst my reusable shopping bags; it then became the coveted food item all the ants in the neighbourhood sought. They were obviously all talking about it based on the congregation I found.

I cleaned it all up, bleached the area and it appears as though I’ve once again reigned supreme in the battle of the ants.

ThatWhiteGirl - battle of ants - victory is mine

It’s only a matter of time until they prove me wrong once again.

5 comments:

  1. Hey, you should try an awesome HOME SEN%INEL fro ASPECTEK to GET RID OF ANTS!!!

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  2. I have the trickle-in ants. So I'll find the scout ants, those two stragglers searching for food. Oh how I hate ants with all of my being.

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  3. My mom uses Borax (a laundry powder) to kill ants. Works every time. If that doesn't help, I'd say just burn the place down and call it a loss.

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  4. Fred - you gave me one, you should know that!! Probably the only reason I don't have a full infestation right now.

    Pickleope - he sure does! I hate them too... I can deal with the stragglers, but when they come in full force, I lose sleep.

    Beer - I've heard of that working well... I guess the internet doesn't lie. I will definitely try it.

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  5. That's why ants are the real kings of the jungle - they are relentless!

    Although I suppose things could be worse. I heard someone in Kitchener had a swarm of bees move into their guest room.

    And couldn't get them exterminated since they are now endangered.

    ReplyDelete

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