Consider Cypermethrin……

Posted by Ant Killer

We used Cypermethrin often in our outdoor barrier protection for ants, spiders, cockroaches, etc.  It is an effective preventive measure against invading bugs.  It can be used in small doses and leave a strong residual so pest control companies like to use it.  I preferred not to use it indoors because of its strong toxic residual that can last for many weeks.  It is a very effective barrier spray.  Like most chemicals, overexposure in humans can lead to nausea, dizziness and other effects so always wear protective masks and gloves when spraying.  Along with ants, spiders and other obnoxious pests, Cypermethrin has been used effectively against Cockroaches, including German Cockroaches.

Townhome with Ants

Posted by Ant Killer

Dear Ant Killer – I can’t get rid of the ants in the Kitchen of my Townhouse, any advice?

Answer:  Townhouses are a pain.  I dealt with more call backs on townhouse ants than any other problem.  The reason is because the walls on townhomes are shared, so the nests are shared and the bugs are shared.  Unless you can get the whole complex to join in the pest control, the ants will easily migrate back in.  So what can you do?

First of all, if the whole townhouse is owned by one owner/investor/landlord, complain about the problem.  Have your neighbors complain about the problem.  It is so much easier if you can get the problem resolved together than separately.  You need the whole foundation of the entire townhouse sprayed as well as Baits and Gel treatments done so that the entire area is flushed of ants.  It is almost a waste of money to have your townhouse treated if the neighbors is still a mess.  The ants will simply migrate back to yours.

The best advice I can give to a townhome occupant that is dealing with ants is that indoor sprays are not going to be effective.  You need to find a way back to the nests and the way to do this is with baits and gels.  Without everyone’s cooperation it is difficult to spray the entire exterior of the complex in order to get proper protection from re-entry.

So, basically I sympathize with you.  Do your best and things will work out with your townhouse ant problem.

New Home with Ants

Posted by Ant Killer

Question: My home was just built and is surrounded by new homes.  How come I have ants and how can I get rid of them?

Top Ant Killer Answer:  Great Question.  I would say that 75% of my time as a pest control technician was spent in new housing developments.  New Home owners are surprised that they have ants and they don’t want ants.  Older home owners are used to ants and may not be as strict with home upkeep.

The problem lies in construction.  When there is construction of a new home, the dirt moved and the nests are disturbed.  Ants will inevitably make their way into the home before the walls are put up and nest in the joists and floorboards.  This creates a difficult situation.  My advice to new home owners was to always get your home sprayed before you move in.  You may still have ant nests indoors, but this will help with a lot of the problem.  If you are spraying before you move in I would use Professional Suspend and maintain a border around the foundation of your home for at least the first year of construction.

If homes are being built around yours, you need to make sure the protective home barrier remains throughout the construction process.

Once you are in your home and if you have ants inside than you want to move to a gel or bait station to get to the nests that were formed during construction.  This may take longer than you’d like. I would caution to stay away from indoor sprays during this process.  Your nests will remain alive and the problem will continue.  You need to work at the source of the problem.