Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2020 May 6

= May 6 =

pharaoh ant

 * I've been told not to use traps or sprays, these ants are in the kitchen behind the stove, how can I kill them off to ensure a slow or fast death (which ever one is more effective)? -- Thegooduser  Life Begins With a Smile :)  🍁 20:00, 6 May 2020 (UTC)
 * Orkin has an information page about the problem; even they admit that pharaoh ants are "one of the most, if not the most, difficult ant to control indoors". "Original research" is considered a no-no on Wikipedia, but I have been dealing with an ant problem in the kitchen with some success. My suggestions:  1) rid kitchen of crumbs, etc. (yes, even under and behind stove & fridge). 2) after a thorough cleaning, rinse with a mild solution of borax (non-toxic; this seems to mess with their chemical trails) -- let dry. 3) dust with diatomaceous earth, especially edges and crevices. Diatomaceous earth is non-toxic, but there are warnings about inhaling dust, so use a face mask. 4) if you only see 1 or 2 "scouts" roaming around aimlessly, leave them alone.  5) if it becomes necessary to kill a bunch (just use a sponge and wash them down the drain; don't use chemicals), follow-up with a cleaning to eliminate chemical trails and rinse with borax solution, let dry and reapply a dusting of diatomaceous earth. -- Good luck! 107.15.157.44 (talk) 20:53, 6 May 2020 (UTC)
 * Have you read Pharaoh ant? The main thing seems to be that it needs to be gradual to avoid splitting up the colony and making the infestation worse. Mikenorton (talk) 20:55, 6 May 2020 (UTC)
 * thanks. -- Thegooduser  Life Begins With a Smile :)  🍁 20:59, 6 May 2020 (UTC)

Liquid dish-washing soap works well, particularly if poured down an access hole. DOR (HK) (talk) 15:12, 7 May 2020 (UTC)


 * Please do no call borax “nontoxic .” American children were reportedly harmed in the 1950s when it was commonly used as an antiseptic/disinfectant. (Reference:Reader’s Digest, early 1960s). Edison (talk) 03:50, 12 May 2020 (UTC)