I've on the rare occasion seen ants in the wood pile sprinkled a coffee can of those ortho granules on top of the piles under the tarp.
Guilty. I fill a ring right next to the wood stove just inside the door. This gives the wood a week on that ring to dry out a bit. As my wood over the next three years will be coming in more seasoned, I'll not need to do this. At that time, I plan to go to a small rack that would last a full day. Until then, I'll need to keep a weary eye for ants and any other pesky bugs.
I mostly quit outright killing the ants when I find 'em. I'll bang the splits together, or put aside for a while until I get a chance to stack the wood. They much prefer wet/damp wood, so they'll be gone before I need to burn it.
Ants come alive at my office every April. It's about time to buy the ant traps. For about 2 weeks, they are crawling everywhere. I notice bugs in the wood sometimes. I just leave it outside all summer and mostly they aren't active when I bring the wood in...although I've seen a few ants crawling around on the wood this winter. Not enough to worry about.
Check out post number 11. If you use my method, you will never buy another ant trap or bug poison to rid your ants. It works that well!
So I mixed up a batch of this boric acid with some sugar and water. After drinking a tall glassful, I haven't seen any ants. I think it must be working. I am seeing some spots, though. I go to sleepy now.
So, mix in sugar. How much? Also boil a little water. How much is a little? Same question with the boric acid.
They are just hibernating. When you see those houseflies looking dead, squash them before disposing of them. As soon as the air warms, they start moving. Soon they are flying and reproducing. There are few things dirtier than houseflies. Get rid of them. Easy to do when they are dormant. I'm always amazed at the flies I find in winter. Don't see them flying around in the house Spring, Summer FAll, except the odd one that gets in the door, but find lots dormant, on their backs by the upper floor windows in the winter.
I can't wait to get out and cut some more wood this weekend. When I find some dormant ants, I am going to put them in a medicine bottle and bring them home. I will let them warm up inside the house. Then, when they come to life, I will put them back outside to go sleepy. Then, of course, I will bring them back inside. They say that nothing is stronger than an ant. Physically, pound for pound, that may be true. But let's see how tough they are mentally. I think I can break them.
Can anyone chime in about safety? I have a child that likes dirt, dogs that dig, and protected barn swallows here that I think eat ants. Suppose the ants die underground and ok?
Don't feed it to the kids. Even if they say it tastes good... We have used it in the past, usually with good results. just hide it where the kiddies can't get to it.
