Put a small quantity of Apple Cider Vinegar in the bottom of small bowl, then put in a few drops of washing up liquid and finally put some cling-wrap/film over the top and punch some small holes in it.
Leave the bowl on your kitchen work surface and be amazed how over a few days, the bowl will be full of dead fruit flies.
The insect spray kept them at bay for a couple of days, but I can see that I'm going to have to go hardcore and nuke them!
Consulting the net it seems that borax or diatomaceous earth, is the way to go.
Any ideas where I can get either of these items?
Cheers.
Find the nest and if it is outside, or in an area of wall behind a cupboard (typically behind the garbage thingie under the sink) SOAK it with Brennsprit. DO NOT ignite (Well, at least not if it is inside). If you found the nest your ant problem is gone.
The cabinet area under the sink is almost always the way they enter, it has holes through the floor/walls, as well as an ample food supply. I have always thrown an ant trap in behind the cabinet once a year (where the hoses for the dishwasher etc are).
Andrew
Andrew
I don't know if your problem is solved but we have always had some issue with ants in different ground floor apartments we have had. I use nippon ant killer liquid which is great. You only need a small dot of the stuff, its like cocaine to ants and they take it back to the nest. A few days later they are all gone,
Worth a shot
Daniel
Anyway, no problem made up my home brew borax solution. After about 6hrs significant reduction and now after 2days they've all gone ... no spraying, swatting or vacuuming required.
I bought my borax in a pharmacy, not far from the rear of the SBB ... on Dornacherstrasse ... on the corner ... almost opposite the barbers which is located at no. 88, but I'm sure other pharmacies will have.
I was asked how much I wanted ... I think I took 200g, which is plenty.
Also, if they come out of your dishwasher, running a bottle of dishwasher cleaner (Maschinenreiniger) in the empty machine at the hottest temperature possible can help.
I'll send the exact measures later this evening, but if you are really in a hurry, just google it ... borax ant killer recipe ... or something like that.
The thing is ... if there is too much borax, then the ants will either not eat it at all, or will die before getting back to the nest.
My preferred method is to take some cotton wool, dip it in the solution and then put the wet cotton wool on an upturned jar lib, or on some clingfilm/wrap ... this is just to stop it sticking to the floor. Place very close to the ant trail and then leave it ... they will find it, send out the message to their mates and then they will tuck in.
I had to repeat the exercise twice last year, but it's a lot less effort than sprays, squashing and vacuuming.
100g sugar
1.5 tablespoon borax
360ml warm/hot water
2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey
Recommend mixing the sugar and borax first, before adding the water.
Once completely dissolved add the honey/syrup and make that also fully dissolves.
Good luck!
I managed to get rid of one "family" which seemed to be finding its way through the usual place (under the kitchen sink). And now I noticed there is a second group that seems to be entering from the balcony and a smaller third one that made its appearance in the kids' room (to the great delight of my toddler who likes hunting them, squashing them and then crying because they are dead). Today we had dinner out, because after spending the day fighting with ants and cleaning every possible source of ant attraction, I could not bear cleaning the usual after dinner mess.
Tomorrow I am going to try the borax solution!
From what I recall, there is a brand name version called Celite which is used in the filtration industry.
Many thanks.
Unfortunately, Rümikon is a bit out of the way for me. At least I have something to show people now though.
When I find something local to Zürich and actually bring it home, I'll update.
Thanks!!